by Kaelyn Sayles

It was a close game. It was an aggressive game. It was a game with advancement on the line.

In the end, the undefeated Shorewood Thunderbirds out-scored the Chief Sealth Seahawks 2-1 Wednesday night at Shoreline Stadium.

This would mark the end of Sealth's 3A State Soccer tournament hopes.

But in all of his 15 years as coach, Sealth head coach Ron Johnson said this has been his best team - playing with both passion and heart. Not to mention, skills.

It was obvious as the Seahawks left the field, that memories of this close, hard-fought game would take some time to get over.

After a scoreless first half, Sealth was hopeful something would turn in their favor.

“We just told them you’ve got to keep the hard-fought play up like we did the first half and just continue, and something was going to break,” Johnson said.
Throughout the game, there were a lot of shots on goal for both teams, but Shorewood seemed to spend most time on Sealth’s end of the field. There were also a lot of fouls.

There were two yellow cards, both given to Sealth players, but both teams played aggressively, knowing what was at stake.

The loud, passionate crowd in the packed stands could feel it, too. When the referee played to advantage, there were cries of anger. When the referee used his whistle, which he did during the second half a lot, there were outbursts of, “Just let them play!”

During the first half, Sealth had some trouble finding each other, but their quick play and strong defense allowed the score to remain 0-0.

Junior goalkeeper Kristian Nilssen had a lot to do with this.

Regardless of the final score, Nilssen proved himself as a successful keeper as he saw a lot of action during this game. He looked like he could fly, launching himself upwards and sideways to keep Shorewood from scoring on many occasions.

On the other side of the field, sophomore forward and midfielder Abel Madrigal got many close shots on goal. None went in, but the action kept Sealth’s offense alive.

But despite Sealth’s efforts, Shorewood took the lead in the 48th minute with a long ball, high and to the right corner, just out of Nilssen’s reach.

“It was a tough-fought game,” Johnson said. “We figured the first team that was going to score was probably going to win it, and we thought the second half, coming out, that we were going to be able to do it. Unfortunately, they got the first goal.”

After that first goal by Shorewood, the momentum shift was obvious. This is what Johnson was talking about. The team that scores first gets a burst of energy that’s hard to defend.

That’s just the way soccer goes.

Sealth wasn’t ready to give up, though.

At the 50 minute mark, a free kick taken by Shorewood looked like what could have been another goal. The referees ruled that it didn’t cross the goal line, and play continued.

The man-on-man coverage, mixed with frustration and urgency, proved the second half of the match to be an aggressive one. At 1-0, both yellow cards were given out within 20 minutes of one another.

Star junior midfielder Mori Tsuchiya was all over the ball during the game. Wherever the ball was, Tsuchiya was close by.

He got pretty beaten up during the second half, and with a little under 26 minutes left to play, he left the match for the first time Wednesday night.
He wasn’t out for long, coming back to finish the game with his team.
At the 73 minute mark, the second yellow card of the night was given to a Sealth player.

Seconds later, Shorewood got its second goal.

With the score at 2-0 and only seven minutes left to play, it looked like a sure-win for Shorewood.

But just a couple minutes later, down toward the Shorewood goal went Sealth senior midfielder Neville Mensur. Mensur crossed the ball from the left side, low and to the front of the goal, right between senior forward Jordan Luna and the goalkeeper.

Luna smoothly tapped it into the goal, finishing the job at the 75 minute mark.
Both teams scrambled as the last five minutes ticked away – Shorewood, to maintain their lead. Sealth, to score at least once more to tie the game and hold onto their playoff hopes.

As the final seconds disappeared from the clock, the score remained at 2-1.
Shorewood leapt and cheered, running to congratulate each other.
Sealth stood in a tight circle. Jerseys were thrown off in frustration. Hugs were given out of support. Tears were shed with defeat.

Within the circle, Johnson spoke to his team – what he calls his best team in 15 years – to keep their heads up.

“I just told them we just got to keep coming out and working hard and next year we’ll do the same thing,” Johnson said.

There won’t be a next year at Sealth for team leader Aden Fidow. Or for the other seniors, Mensur, Simon Crean, Brandon Rosario, Luna, Quang Nguyen, Logan Smith and Antonio Garcia.

But Sealth’s head coach remains hopeful for the years to come, ready to develop the players that will still be around next season, which include Tsuchiya and Nilssen.

“I’m young. I’ve got a young team. I’ve got eight seniors leaving, but I’ve got a whole JV team just to come up and play,” Johnson said.

He said the last four years have been incredible, and is amazed at how the soccer program has grown and turned around from when he started.

The guys will be playing year-round, training for what comes next. Soon, they’ll be helping out the girls’ team, which Johnson also coaches.

“We’re a family,” Johnson said. “It was a great season. I’m proud of everyone. Everyone.”
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Shorewood will go on to play Bainbridge in round two of the 3A State Soccer tournament at noon on Saturday, May 19 at Shoreline Stadium.

For more bracket details, visit: http://wiaa.com/Brackets/T93.pdf