Beamer vs. Jefferson: Winner to state soccer tourney, loser done

By CASEY OLSON, The Mirror

The Todd Beamer High School girls soccer team won’t go through the 2007 season unbeaten. That’s for sure now.

The Titans lost their first match of the season Wednesday night in the South Puget Sound League championship game at Art Crate Field in Spanaway. The Kentwood Conquerors downed Beamer, 2-1, to snare the league’s No. 1 seed into today’s West Central District Tournament. The Titans (16-1-0) will be the SPSL’s No. 2 seed and will play cross-district rival Thomas Jefferson at 1 p.m. at Art Crate Field again in a winner-to-state, loser-out match. The Raiders (9-2-5) beat Puyallup, 2-0, Wednesday at the SPSL Tournament to snare the league’s fifth seed into districts.

Kentwood (12-1-3) junior midfielder Jolene Crook-Meyers broke a 1-1 tie just after halftime on a direct free kick from 20 yards out to give the Conquerors the win.

The two goals given up by Beamer on Wednesday were the most the team gave up in any game the entire season. The Titans entered the match having outscored their opponents 71-3 with 13 shutouts.

Kentwood struck early when senior forward Kristen Drobny scored in the 13th minute on a shot from directly in front of the Beamer goal.

Titan sophomore forward Holland Crook tied the game in the 35th minute when she split Kentwood defenders and blasted a 20-yard shot into the right side of the net.

Today’s game with Jefferson will be a rematch of an early-season, non-league match between the two schools. Beamer beat the Raiders 3-0 on Sept. 5 on a pair of goals from Jordan Salisbury and one by Crook.

Jefferson 2, Puyallup 0

At Art Crate Field, Kendall Swynenburg fed Amy Pate for TJ’s first goal early in the second half at the 43:09 mark, then scored on an assist from Sara Byrne later in the first half.

Megan Hilby recorded her seventh shutout of the season after taking over goalkeeping duties midway through the year.

Graham-Kapowsin 2, Decatur 1

At French Field in Kent, Decatur’s season was ended by the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles on Wednesday after giving up a one-goal lead. The game pitted the two fourth-place finishers from the SPSL North and South divisions.

Graham-Kapowsin (10-4-4) got a pair of goals from Lindsey Field, including the game-winner in the 78th minute.

Decatur’s (5-7-5) lone goal of the match came from Rylie Buckholz in the 41st minute to put the Gators up 1-0.

Sports editor Casey Olson: 925-5565, sports@fedwaymirror.com

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