Strong Dragons settle for second

SUMNER, Wash. – The defense was its usual stellar self with Jordan Dickson tending to goal.

It was the St. George’s offense, playing without leading scorer Grant Evans – who has been sidelined the last two weeks with a shoulder injury – that never was able to get on track as the Dragons lost the Class 2B/1B boys soccer state championship 2-0 to Tacoma Baptist Saturday at Sunset Chev Stadium.

“Our touch was off tonight,” St. George’s coach Cam Preston said. “We didn’t get our usual number of shots and that was the difference. Not having Grant hurt us. He’s our top scorer and our leader on the field, but take nothing away from Tacoma Baptist. They made plays tonight.”

St. George’s was outshot 14-7 as Tacoma Baptist led 1-0 at the half, getting a goal from Trevor Talen in the 34th minute to put the Crusaders on the scoreboard.

Despite giving up the first-half goal, St. George’s junior goalkeeper Dickson was outstanding in the net for the Dragons during the opening 40 minutes, turning away several solid Tacoma Baptist shots on goal, many coming at point-blank range.

Three times Dickson turned away Tacoma Baptist shots that were well within 10 yards of the net – turning away two Jake Linke shots and a rocket from Joshua Peters a minute before Talen raced behind the St. George’s defense to break the scoreless tie.

The Crusaders continued to apply pressure with their aggressive offensive attack at the start of the second half, but Dickson once again stepped up, leaping high and snagging a Tacoma Baptist corner kick with one hand 10 minutes into the second half to keep the Dragons within a goal.

A little luck was on the side of St. George’s with 19 minutes to play when Dakinah Palmquist’s shot bounced off the post.

Peters, however, made up for it a minute later sneaking a shot past Dickson at the 64th minute, pushing the Crusaders to a 2-0 advantage.

“We kept with the game plan,” Tacoma Baptist coach Josh Narayan said. “We kept it on the ground and made passes. We knew we’d get opportunities.”

The Dragons had a handful of looks at the goal the rest of the way, but were never able to cut into the deficit.

“We never did get that break on offense,” Preston said. “Defensively, we played very well, but couldn’t get anything going on offense.”

St. George’s, which finished third last year and claimed the 2000 state title, graduates five seniors – Evans, Mark Cassel, Nick Ivers, Audun Salte and Alex Koo – but should make another run next seasons as the Dragons return eight juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen from this year’s runner-up squad.

“We’re losing a great group of seniors,” Preston said. “They all worked hard to help us get here.”