Wolverines slay Dragons in shootout; Friday Harbor and Orcas Island boys to battle for soccer state crown
- Written by Matt Pranger
Friday Harbor slayed St. George’s 2-1 after winning a shootout in the Class 1B/2B Boys Soccer State Semifinal Friday, Nov. 18. The Wolverines (14-2) will next battle cross-water rival and defending champion Orcas Island (16-2) in the title match at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Renton Memorial Stadium.
“It feels pretty dang good. It feels really, really good,” Friday Harbor coach Brett Paul said of the victory over Spokane soccer powerhouse. “Not only being in the state championship, but that second half was the best brand of soccer we’ve played all season.”
Friday Harbor senior goalie Luke Totten keeps the ball out of the net. Matt Pranger photo
Friday Harbor senior goalie Luke Totten stoned three of St. Geoge’s six penalty kicks to extend Wolverines’ season.
“I was pretty ecstatic when he made that last save,” Paul said. “That was awesome.”
Seniors Alden Carli, Erik Corbin, Jonah Parsons and Jasper converted their penalty kicks. Carli also scored the Wolverines’ goal in regulation play on a penalty kick after the Dragons were whistled for fouling senior Adam Strasbourger in the box with less than 13 minutes to go.
Friday Harbor dominated possession in the second half but the Dragons slipped past for the equalizer with about six minutes remaining.
“Our guys played with a lot of intensity and composure at the same time, which was super exciting to see,” Paul said. “Besides the win, and besides being in the state championship, which both of those things are amazing, playing good soccer felt really, really good. And they felt that way too. They came off knowing how they played. It was awesome.”
Friday Harbor’s captains, after falling last year to Orcas in a semifinal, are thrilled to be advancing to the title match.
“I’m so excited,” Corbin said. “It’s the first time Friday Harbor has made it this far, so it’s surreal.”
“I’m very excited,” Parsons said. “I definitely thought we were going to come and compete and win. I thought my teammates and I all had an idea of winning and trusting each other.”
“It feels good, but the job’s not finished. We’ve got one more,” Williamson said. “I’m just looking ahead. The victory felt good, we got to celebrate but we’ve just got to focus on tomorrow. That’s all we can really do to be the first champions ever for Friday Harbor.”
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