Originally published November 10, 2009 at 10:29 PM | Page modified November 10, 2009 at 10:38 PM

Prep Girls Soccer | Kentwood stops Eastlake, 1-0

The Conquerors' 1-0 victory over the Wolves sent them into the state quarterfinals, already matching the best season in program history.

By Joshua Mayers

Special to The Seattle Times

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SAMMAMISH — A one-goal lead for most teams is a narrow margin. For Kentwood, it's game over.

Led by a defense that came into Tuesday night's game at Eastlake with 16 shutouts and two goals allowed, the ninth-ranked Conquerors scored early and protected late to beat the No. 4 Wolves 1-0 in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Kentwood (15-0-4), which plays Saturday at No. 5 South Kitsap of Port Orchard (14-0-3) in the quarterfinals, has already matched the program's best season.

"We're rewriting history this year," said senior goalkeeper Megan Walburn. "We feel like we're the best team in the state."

The Conks' goal came off a perfectly executed counterattack in the 35th minute, when senior captain Rachel Bindl passed ahead to forward Alex White, who calmly finished for her 10th goal of the season.

The Wolves (14-5-1) pressed for the equalizer in the second half but couldn't break through against Kentwood's stout backline. Walburn and junior Courtney Johnson shared the shutout.

"We knew we were in for a battle," said Kentwood coach Aaron Radford. "I can't be more proud of what my defense and my team did."

Last season, the Conks were the top-ranked team going into the playoffs, but lost 2-1 to Shorewood in the first round. Led by its upperclassmen, Kentwood feels better prepared this year.

"We know we have to play like it's our last game of the season, because it might be," said senior captain Mackenzie Meyers.

Eastlake, without recently injured starters Kellie Shreve and Candice Osei-Agyemang, was eliminated in the first round for the second straight season.

"Our group didn't live up to their own expectations, but they lived up to mine," said Wolves coach Chuck Krieble.

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