Prep Soccer | 4A: Skyline keeps state title, beats Issaquah 2-1

LAKEWOOD — Once again, the state turned to the KingCo 4A Conference to determine a champion.

Once again, it was Skyline.

The No. 7 Spartans of Sammamish defended their Class 4A title by way of shootout Saturday night, outlasting league rival Issaquah 2-1 in the championship game at Harry Lang Stadium.

"To repeat as state champions in this state is probably the most difficult challenge I can picture for a high-school team," said Skyline coach Don Braman.

Sophomore goalkeeper Tina Vargas made two saves in a 3-1 shootout win for the Spartans (18-4), their third win via the tiebreaker in four state-playoff games.

"She is absolutely dominant in penalty-kick situations," Braman said of Vargas. "Even the ones that get kicked wide are ones that she influences."

Vargas split time in goal with senior Jill Stika, who didn't allow a state goal in two years.

"I knew that sometime in my high-school career I'd be able to play in a state championship game, and I'd have to give it my all," Vargas said.

Skyline and Issaquah had split two games during the season coming into the final; the Spartans won 2-0 in the regular season and the Eagles won the KingCo championship game, 3-1.

The familiarity turned to physicality.

"It was a classic Issaquah-Skyline brawl," said Eagles coach Tom Bunnell.

Skyline forward Shea O'Donnell gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead with a breakaway goal in the 14th minute.

The third-ranked Eagles (17-3) tied the score at 1-1 in the 45th minute when Kristin Maris scored her team-leading 21st goal of the season on an assist from Audrey Thomas.

KingCo teams have won the last four state championships in Class 4A. Skyline had to beat league rivals for each of its titles the last two seasons, last year beating Woodinville 2-0 in the final.

Issaquah, which won Class 3A titles in 2007, 2006 and 2004, has yet to win a 4A championship. The Eagles have been state runners-up in 1986, 1998 and 2009.

Bunnell was content to add another trophy.

"We've created something really special here, and that is the best part about it," he said.

Third-place game

Kentwood 1, Kamiakin 0

Reilly Retz floated a long-range shot over the Braves' goalkeeper for the only goal in the 15th minute as the ninth-ranked Conquerors of Covington took home their first girls soccer trophy. Kentwood (17-1-4) didn't allow a goal throughout the state tournament. The Conquerors were scored on only twice all season while earning 20 shutouts.

"I think these girls set out to prove me wrong when I told them I didn't think we could break our team records from last year," said Conks coach Aaron Radford. "To make the final four is an awesome feat."

The No. 6 Braves of Kennewick (18-3-1) earned their fifth trophy in 16 state appearances.