Olympic High School (Bremerton) robbed the Renton High School Redhawks on the pitch Nov. 1. The Redhawks fell 1-0 to the Trojans in the first overtime period.
The girls soccer season ended in heartbreak for Renton. Their previous game before this ended in penalty shots, losing 5-4 to crosstown rival Lindbergh.
“They worked their butts off tonight and last weekend,” said Assistant Coach Dylan Okimoto.
The contest on the first day of November was a tightly played competition. Neither side grabbed momentum at any point in the game, proving how close this matchup was. The first half ended scoreless, with little to no pressure on the goalkeepers. The only pressure put on any keeper was a shot from Renton freshman Mattea Pattenaud from 40 yards out. The shot bounced over the keeper but was wide of the net by less than a foot.
Olympic started the second half strong with two possessions inside the 18-yard box of Renton, but on each of those attacks, Renton was able to counter them with two shots of their own. Junior Sammy Mojica Sanchez and sophomore Lydia Kedaneamriam both gave the Redhawks opportunities to score on the other side of the pitch.
In the 70th minute, Renton was called for a handball inside the box giving Olympic a penalty kick. Freshman Seraphina Bell took the shot for the Trojans. Bell’s shot was to the goalies left and hit off the post. Renton was able to kick the ball up field, nullifying the Olympic opportunity. Keeping the Trojans off the scoreboard with less than 10 minutes to go.
Entering stoppage time Renton threatened to take the lead and win the game late, but the freshman goalie Chelsea Beavan had other plans. She made two amazing saves on back-to-back shots nullifying the Redhawk offensive, forcing the game to overtime.
The previous two games that the Redhawks played had also gone into overtime. Both five minute periods were scoreless, this time the outcome would be different. Seemingly right after the initial whistle starting the period, the Trojans were threatening Renton.
The game winning goal was scored on their second corner kick of OT from sophomore Emiko Carrier-Berndt in overtime. Carrier-Berndt sent the ball inside the six yard box, once Renton was unable to clear the ball, Bell scored the golden goal advancing the Trojans to the next round the the 2A District tournament.
Renton is only graduating three seniors from this team with five juniors becoming seniors for next season.
“They are a huge core for us and hopefully it bodes well for a great year next year,” Okimoto said.
