SHORELINE — The King’s Knights lost to the Klahowya Eagles (21-2-0) in the championship game of the 1A State Girls Soccer Tournament.
A first-half goal in the 13th minute by Klahowya midfielder Izzy Severns — off a through-ball from defender Rachel Seidel — was the only score of the game.
After the goal, both teams had chances to score, with the best opportunity for the Knights coming in first-half stoppage time. King’s forward Anisa Uberuaga saw her open shot go over the crossbar, and defender Danielle Bauber couldn’t put away a pass from Uberuaga on the back post.
“I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed in (our) missed chances,” King’s coach Nicole Gabelein said. “I’m disappointed in the outcome.”
At halftime, the Knights “talked about getting the ball on the ground,” Gabelein said. “Our game is not in the air. Our goal was to bring the ball back on the ground and make passes.”
Early in the second half, defender Anna Parker put a header on goal, but it went right into the arms of Eagles goalkeeper Taylor Reuter.
“(Parker) stepped up in a big way tonight to make some big plays and stops,” Gabelein said. “All the kids that played on the pitch today, they played really well.”
In second-half stoppage time, King’s had a free kick just outside the box that had every Knight player — including goalkeeper Madeline Neilsen — in front of the goal. That kick rattled around but couldn’t be put away by King’s (20-2-1).
“They should be proud of how they picked their heads up,” Gabelein said of her squad. “I’m proud of how they played. They played like champions and they faced a tough team. Today was not our day.
“We’ll be back.”
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