Last year, the Glacier Peak Grizzlies boys soccer team won the 3A state championship in just the school’s second year of existence.
Today the Grizzlies find themselves in familiar territory, poised to take another crack at the championship as they take on the Bainbridge Spartans in the 3A state semifinals. The Grizzlies’ task of getting back to the championship and repeating will be a tough one, as the Spartans are a worthy opponent.
The Spartans come into the game with a mark of 16-3-1, riding a 10-game winning streak and a recent victory over Lakeside in the Metro League championship game.
If there is a benefit to the Grizzlies’ first two state-playoff victories, it is that they both came over Metro league opponents — a 1-0 victory over O’Dea in first round and a 3-2 victory over Lakeside in the quarterfinals.
“If there is a style of play that the Metro League presents itself with, we are going to be familiar with that,” Glacier Peak coach Shannon Murray said. “If they are anything like the first two opponents, which are schools they have played all year, then we are expecting a very difficult game.”
That style of play, however, is not always an easy one to defend. Metro League teams are known for their attacking style of play.
“I would say the Metro League is quite direct, hard to goal,” Bainbridge coach George Vukic said.
The Spartans are led by senior forward Alex Raquer, who has 15 goals on the season.
“Alex is a great finisher. He is extremely speedy,” Vukic said.
The Spartans also have a formidable surrounding cast. Senior Will Devereaux is the team’s second-leading goal scorer and sophomore midfielder Michael Crowley leads the team in assists.
Vukic added that the Spartans would not be where they are without the solid goalkeeping of senior Nic Miller.
“If he hadn’t made certain saves at certain critical moments, we would not be in this position,” Vukic said.
The Spartans will have their hands full with the defending champs. Senior forward Shane Miller leads the team with 21 goals and six assists, including the regular season and playoffs. Senior midfielder Gregor Troost has scored 17 goals and assisted on 14 goals. Defender Kyle Bjornethun has even gotten into the offensive attack. Bjornethun has six goals and 11 assists.
“I think that shows you the quality of player he is, to be able to join in the attack from the backline for us,” Murray said.
Senior goalkeeper Andrew Weakly is capable of keeping the Grizzlies in any game they play. Weakly has 11 shutouts in 21 games.
Vukic knows that the Spartans are in for a big challenge trying to dethrone the defending champions, but says his team is confident.
“We expect every step in this state tournament to be significantly more challenging,” Vukic said. “We are not going into the game without significant belief to be able to win it. While we understand their strengths, we feel quite good about our chances.”
No doubt a 10-game winning streak contributes to that confidence.
“It’s very good for confidence, but you have to be smart about what you are doing as well,” Vukic said.
The Grizzlies’ victories over Metro League teams in the first two rounds make it clear to the Spartans that they are in for a challenge, but the fact that both of Glacier Peak’s victories were by one goal also tells Bainbridge that it should be a battle.
“It’s not a three- or four-goal difference over Lakeside — that would send us a very different message,” Vukic said.
Vukic says he is aware of what the Grizzlies accomplished last year and their stellar record this year, but admits he doesn’t know a whole lot about the team and hasn’t had a chance to scout it.
“If I had a chance to watch them, there might be specifics that we would address,” Vukic said.
But that hasn’t been the Spartans’ way in their run to the semifinals.
“I haven’t given a talk to my team about a specific player all year,” Vukic said. “We try to address strong opponents in more general principles.”
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