BRACKET
TUKWILA, Wash. – The 2021 NWAC Men's Soccer Championships continued Friday at Starfire Stadium with the semifinals, starting with a 3-0 win for Highline over Rogue, followed by Whatcom's 3-1 victory against Tacoma. Both teams advanced to the finals, which will take place on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Highline 3, Rogue 0 BOXSCORE
Friday's opening game featured a pair of team's earning upset victories in the quarterfinals. Highline (13-5) took down East Region champion Columbia Basin 2-1, while Rogue (10-3-2) had the upset of the tournament, defeating North Region champion and reigning NWAC Champions Peninsula 2-1 on the road.
Both Highline and Rogue came out of the gates with boundless energy, trading scoring opportunities back-and-forth in the first half. It took until the final minute of the half when Highline struck gold. A surefire goal for the Thunderbirds was narrowly saved from crossing the goal line by a Rogue defender, but the following clear attempt resulted in a foul in the box and a penalty kick for Highline. Zane Baumgardt took the ensuing penalty kick and buried it to put Highline up 1-0 at the half.
The Thunderbirds fed off the late goal to score quickly in the second half, as Marcos Santos made it 2-0 in the 50th minute, assisted by Joel Luzano. The dynamic Rogue offense was held in check and Highline made it 3-0 in the 76th as Luke Seaver dished the final goal up for Kolton Lerwick.
Highline held a close 20-14 advantage in overall shots, while Rogue finished with four corner kicks to Highline's three. Lerwick had five shots while Rogue's Jhoel Sarraude led the team with five as well.
Rogue's Franco Melgar came up with eight saves in net. Highline Keeper Christian Cisneros earned the shutout with seven big saves.
Whatcom 3, Tacoma 1 BOXSCORE
Tacoma (11-4-2), the lone region champion to advance to the semifinals, jumped out to an early lead against the Orcas, scoring in just the third minute after a quick penalty kick. The team's leading scorer, Jesus Flores, stepped up to the line and gave the Titans the 1-0 lead.
From there, Whatcom (15-2-1) came charging back with three unanswered goals in the first half. The NWAC's leading scorer Flavio Espinoza got the Orcas on the board in the 29th minute, sparking the run of three goals over the next 13 minutes. Aldo Barajas tallied the go-ahead goal just 86 seconds later, assisted by Josh Wong. Espinoza netted his second of the game and 22nd of the season in the 42nd minute.
The Orcas closed off their defense in the second half as both teams managed five shots apiece in the final 45 minutes. The Titans pressured consistently to attempt to narrow the deficit, earning four corner kicks in the second half to Whatcom's zero.
The Orcas will take on Highline on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The teams played once earlier this season on Sep. 15, with Whatcom earning the 2-1 victory.
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Contact: Iain Dexter; idexter@clark.edu
