U-16 Washington Boys Final-Snohomish United vs. FC Kitsap

In a battle of two teams who have never won a State title in their past. The first ten minutes seemed to be a feeling out of the opponent. With neither team having too much control of the ball or creating much build up.

Finally in the 10th minute Snohomish had some decent combinations before finding Brandon Kelley at the top of the 18 yard box, only to hit a soft shot on goal. Kitsap countered a few minutes later drawing a free kick. Mark “Cody” Clark for Kitsap hit a nice bender into the box with Nolan Kalkwarf getting up for the header, only to hit it right at the keeper for Snohomish.

For the next 10 minutes or so Snohomish controlled much of the play. Getting Brandon Kelley loose in the box after beating a defender and striking a hard shot that the Kitsap keeper made a nice save on. Then just minutes later on a free kick David Raney of Snohomish hit Brian Ferrin inside the 6 yard box only to have it hit over the goal. It was probably the best chance and a bit unlucky for Snohomish. Snohomish continued to press the issue earning a corner in the 25th minute, Brian Ferrin hit a nice corner and Brandon Kelley got up but header it wide.

The last part of the 1st half you could see Kitsap gaining confidence from the play of their defense and goalie. In the 30th minute Mark”Cody” Clark get’s loose outside the 18 and penetrates on a hard dribble into the box and fires a shot that takes a Kyle Fadenrecht deflection from Kitsap being up 1-0. Not 5 minutes later Kitsap sends in a cross into the box from the right, that Travis Gutierrez get’s on the end of inside the 6. The only thing stopping a goal was it getting jammed under him and a slight stumble giving the Snohomish defense a chance to clear the ball.

Minutes later Kitsap has a free kick Mark “Cody” Clark hit’s it into the wall, then collects the rebound and fires a missile that just misses wide to the left. Kitsap at this point has had a solid 5 minutes of pressure on Snohomish and there are no signs of letting up. Then all of the sudden off a Kitsap corner, Snohomish gets a quick counter attack finding Brandon Kelley at the 50 all alone. As he races towards the goal, only a bad touch prevents a legitimate one vs one chance. Making it easy for the Kitsap keeper to collect the ball.

They go to half tied at zeros.

Kitsap seems to be gaining more confidence to start the second half, and continued to pressure Snohomish. After numerous runs and chances for Kitsap. It seemed like they would get their break when Nolan Kalkwarf for Kitsap hit’s a howitzer from the top of the 18, beating the keeper on the shot but not the crossbar. Just minutes later though Kitsap gets a free kick, and looks to cash this one in. Mark”Cody” Clark sends a bender from the left side that Dylan Ganges Tucker gets up over the defenders and beats the keeper with a well placed header to give Kitsap the 1-0 lead.
Kitsap continues to apply pressure to Snohomish in many ways taking them out of their normal style of play. Seems Kitsap is destined to win State this year, but Snohomish is fighting hard and play levels for a good 20 minutes or more.

With about 10 minutes left Kitsap controls a ball at the 50 yard line. Kyle Schoales wins a tackle then attacks quickly down the right sideline. He plays a perfect ball to Nolan Kalkwarf who hesitates on doing a give and go back to Kyle. The hesitation in this case freezes the defense and he plays it back out to a streaking Schoales at the edge of the 18, who dribbles in drawing the keeper and lays it back to Kalkwarf for the gift. Kalkwarf one times it into the open net to give his team a 2-0 and the State Title at U-16. This goal was truly a great goal, because of the unselfishness of Schoales to draw the keeper over and then lay it off for his teammate.

Great job both teams and good luck at Regionals Kitsap

 

U-17 Boys State Cup Final-FWU Celtic vs NW Nationals Pharaohs

Two very different teams and contrasting styles in this match up. In fact to start the game it seemed like the ball would never touch the turf, but once they settled down the play got fairly nice to watch.

About 10 minutes in or so the Nationals had a great chance on a cross to David Strecker who just missed. He would be rewarded a few minutes later though. On a ball played out wide for the Nationals, Brandon Crutchfield collected the ball then used his speed to blow by one defender and hit a pin point cross from the left to Strecker, who this time, one timed it past a sprawling keeper for a Nationals 1-0 lead. A few minutes later the Nationals got Nick Demoines loose in the box along the end line, he then cut it back to the top of the six yard box. Robbie Gouk hit a hard shot that was deflected wide by a Celtic defender to save a goal. With about 15 minutes left in the half the Nationals get a free kick. David Strecker sends nice ball in that Alec Nelson heads and it’s going in but the crossbar makes a great save keeping it 1-0 Nationals. Minutes later though Alec is rewarded after collecting a cross from the right side that he has a brilliant touch and then strikes it home with a left footed volley to make it 2-0 at half.

Although Celtic never gave up in this game and the second half they had their chances, it just seemed to be the Nationals day and year to win State Cup. It seemed Celtic had a hard time connecting on with their forwards, many times just a step away or a bit strong.

In fact they had two great chances in the second half. The first off a deflected shot that got behind the Nationals. Only to have the forward be a step late for Celtic, and the Nationals goalie getting it. Then later in the half Todd Muecklish hits a 25 yard blast that beat the keeper far post, but finds crossbar instead. On this day the 4 leaf clovers were not to be found for Celtic.

Normally I wouldn’t do this in an article, but I thought one particular player had a great game and deserved to be mentioned. David Strecker, great job tonight and to all of the National players good luck at Regionals

WPS Staff article