LC posts dramatic win in State 4A soccer
Saturday’s State 4A boys soccer quarterfinal at Hart Field began with fans huddling under umbrellas and sophomore David Graham sitting on the bench.
To the fans’ delight, the heavy rain stopped by the end of the match. To the delight of host Lewis and Clark’s fans, Graham ended the match in the second overtime.
Graham, a sophomore who entered the match for good at the 30-minute mark, scored in the 87th minute to give LC (18-1) a 2-1 victory over Pasco (14-6).
The Tigers qualified for their second state semifinal in three years and improved their overtime record this season to 5-0. LC will meet Juanita (11-3-4) at 7 Friday night at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas, just east of Vancouver.
Friday’s other semifinal will feature Bellarmine Prep (16-0-2) against Snohomish (15-1-2), at 5.
The winning goal occurred during a scramble in front of the goal after Brandon Darnell’s corner kick. Graham, who had scored just once this season, won the challenge and scored to the lower-right corner, past goalkeeper Andrew Esparza.
“It popped around in the box and I was luckily there to put it in,” said Graham, who was an eighth-grader when the Tigers played for the state title in 2002.
“David has been performing better and better every day,” said Kenny Krestian, whose Tigers are 51-5 in the last three seasons. “His work rate and desire to win have put him on the field. He came on with 10 minutes left in the first half, and finished the game out.”
LC dominated offensive play, with a 19-8 advantage on shots on goal during regulation and 4-0 during OT.
Krestian said Ferris coach Robin Crain gave him a dead-on scouting report after Pasco defeated the Saxons 4-0 in last week’s state opener.
“We knew they would run the same game plan they ran against Ferris, by packing the (goal) box,” Krestian said. “Any time you get the opportunity to score to score against them, there are 6-7 guys in front of you.
“We’d get a shot and nobody would crash the goal. That’s how they got their goal, and we weren’t doing that.”
The Tigers were protecting a 1-0 lead at 62 minutes when co-captain Victor Perez, who burned Ferris for one goal and one assist last week, took a free kick. LC senior goalkeeper Ben Fairchild made the stop, but senior Juan Chairez punched in the rebound.
The Tigers had three other serious attempts in regulation, including a high shot by Trevor Cross that Esparza deflected with time running down.
“Before the overtime, we said we have to be better with everything we’re doing,” Krestian said. “They came out, and obviously it was better.”
LC’s C.J. Moe nearly won the match with a shot that sailed high in the first OT. Matt Harnetiaux also just missed a few moments before Graham’s winner. Graham also forced the corner kick that set up the winning kick.
Harnetiaux scored his seventh goal of the season at the 29-minute mark. The long pass inside came from Cross, one of five Tigers with seven or more assists this season.
“Trevor got the ball down the sideline,” Harnetiaux said. “I thought he saw me, so I just made a looping run to the box. He hit me and I headed it in.”
“The goalkeeper was coming out and that’s a dangerous spot,” Krestian said. “Harnetiaux just made a dive for it and that’s one of those world-class goals.”
•Adam Clayden took a throw-in from Patrick Folsom and scored to the far post from 20 yards, breaking a 1-all tie and sending Cheney past host Sunnyside 4-2 in a State 3A quarterfinal. The Blackhawks (17-5) qualified for their first semifinal in school history and will meet Mt. Rainier at 3 p.m. Friday in Camas. Sunnyside (17-4) defeated Cheney 2-1 in last weekend’s 3A regional championship. “We were more successful finishing this time, with much better mental toughness,” said Cheney coach Steve Davis.” Freshman Adam Brock scored at 9 minutes for the Blackhawks, challenging the goalkeeper for a loose ball. Sunnyside tied the match midway through the first half, with Junior Garcia punching in a penalty kick after a trip-up in the goal box. Jeff Davis and Folsom added insurance goals late in the second half. Folsom headed in a throw-in from Chad Thornton with 6 minutes left.