Federal Way boys soccer’s postseason hopes take big hit in loss to White River

Published 5:30 pm Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Federal Way High School’s boys soccer team picked up some massive wins this season under manager Pedro “Gordo” Millan. The wins over first place Auburn Mountainview and Kent-Meridian put a shine on an otherwise difficult season.

The Eagles entered their third to final match of the regular season on 17 points and in sixth place, two points behind Enumclaw, which is clinging to that fifth and final playoff spot.

Federal Way took on White River and ended up not being able to meet the moment as they lost 6-3 on April 27.

It was a disappointing result to say the least, but the anticipation and pressure may have been too much for Millan’s group.

“I think there is a lot of pressure when you put names on games, in a situation like this. When you put a title to a game, every player in the world has a little pressure. I think we couldn’t manage that (pressure) at the beginning of the game,” Millan said.

In the first leg on the road, these two teams played to a 2-2 draw back on March 28. But what transpired on Monday night looked like two different teams on the field. With the added weight of a playoff berth hanging in the balance and a senior night celebration before the game, there was a new level of importance that Federal Way might not have been ready for.

“I feel like when you approach the end of the season you need the result. The pressure gets to everybody, you play the top teams in the league and you match them. You play a direct rival, the mentality changes,” Millan said. “There was a lot of expectations for everybody.”

White River took advantage early on a couple of lapses from the Federal Way defense. A miscue by defenders led to one of the easier goals of the night for Hornet freshman Owen White in just the third minute.

Eight minutes later, White River scored again, this time on a set piece. A perfect corner from Ivan Floyd found the head of Brohdy Bockness for a quick 2-0 lead inside of 12 minutes.

But the Eagles found a response, and in a time of desperation, they found results. After receiving a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, Yeferson Molina eyed the goal. He sent his right foot through the ball, curling it around the four-man White River wall and into the back of the net in the 18th minute.

With time on their side, Federal Way’s attack found its legs. Josh Ruiz-Perez routinely beat his defender down the lefthand side of the pitch, down the touchline. Needing three points, but would take anything they could get, the Eagles drew level in the 25th minute.

Ruiz-Perez beat his defender and sent a perfect pass to Santiago Heraldez Alacorn, who redirected the ball into the net, and Federal Way had willed themselves back in the game.

“We responded in a good way,” Millan said.

But that was the highest of high the Eagles would feel for the rest of the game. Not more than three minutes later, White River would take the lead and then add another goal right before the end of the first half.

The Eagles’ defense just could not keep up with the White River attack as the second half began just as the first half ended. In the 54th minute, Bryan Rodriguez Pena put the nail in the Federal Way coffin.

A win would have pushed Federal Way into that final playoff spot. But now, they will have to see if they can sneak their way in. Left on their schedule is Thomas Jefferson and Kent-Meridian, and there are 23 points available to Federal Way. The only team they can catch is Enumclaw, which faces Thomas Jefferson, Kentlake and Kent-Meridian. If Enumclaw wins one of those three games, Federal Way can only tie the Hornets. Millan’s focus is to get his team to play one game at a time.

“For me I just want them to continue to have fun and do their best these last couple of games,” Millan said.

Federal Way takes on Thomas Jefferson on May 1 at Federal Way Memorial Field.