The quest for a third straight Seamount League Championship came to an end for Hazen’s Lady Highlanders soccer team as they dropped their league opener to cross town rival Lindbergh 1-0 at Renton Memorial Stadium.

Lindbergh’s lone goal came 13 minutes into the game, unassisted by Justine Yarington. Yarington scored in the previous meeting between the two clubs.

“She’ll get my vote for league MVP,” Hazen Coach Ken Matthews said in a press release. “The sign of a great player is when everyone within five miles of the stadium knows you’re the only player on the team who can beat you and she beats you.”

The loss means Hazen has been statistically eliminated from winning the league, though not from the playoffs. According to the coach, the team will make the postseason even if they lose every remaining game.

“I’ve drawn a line in the sand a couple of times this season. Tonight was the last one. I have six games to put a team together that can compete in the playoffs. That’ll start Monday and we’ll see what happens with a new lineup in Tuesday’s game,” he ended.

“I’ve drawn a line in the sand a couple of times this season. Tonight was the last one. I have six games to put a team together that can compete in the playoffs. That’ll start Monday and we’ll see what happens with a new lineup in Tuesday’s game,” he ended.

Hazen is now 2-6-2 overall on the season and 0-1 in league play. They played at Evergreen on Tuesday.

Lindbergh is now 4-4-2 overall and 1-0 in the Seamount. The Eagles play at Renton on Tuesday.