Snohomish soccer scores late pair to advance

SNOHOMISH — Placed in the unusual position of playing from behind, the Snohomish Panthers decided they needed to spend some time in the corner.

Snohomish scored twice from corner kicks during the first six minutes of the second half, overturning a deficit to defeat the Mount Rainier Rams 2-1 Wednesday night in the first round of the 4A state boys soccer tournament.

Snohomish, the top seed from District 1, found itself trailing Mount Rainier, the No. 4 seed from District 3, 1-0 at halftime. But the Panthers received a series of corner kicks early in the second half, with Gus Baxter and Blake Crutchfield converting to reverse the score line.

“We’re a very dominant team on set pieces, that’s how we scored the majority of our goals this season,” said Crutchfield, who’s usually on the delivering end of the set pieces with his long throw-ins rather than the scoring end. “We really like to take advantage of those, and tonight we did.

“The first half was pretty slow,” Crutchfield added. “But at halftime we had a decent talk in the locker room and we really started to pick it up in the second half. I think the mentality totally switched in the second half.”

Snohomish (16-2-1) advanced to host Bellarmine Prep in the quarterfinals. That game is tentatively scheduled for Saturday.

Steven Chu scored for Mount Rainier, which finished its season 10-7-1.

In an ill-tempered affair that featured lots of fouling, including Mount Rainier defender Cody Parks being sent off for his second yellow card midway through the second half, saw Snohomish trail 1-0 at halftime courtesy of Chu’s free kick from 20 yards out in the 33rd minute.

But the Panthers wasted little time turning things around in the second half. Less than two minutes into the second half Snohomish tied it courtesy of a corner kick. Coleman French delivered a ball to the far post from the left, and Baxter rose above the fray to loop a header into the top corner and make it 1-1.

The Snohomish fans had barely finished celebrating when the Panthers took the lead. Snohomish got another corner kick in the 46th minute. This time the Rams cleared French’s delivery. However, the ball looped toward Crutchfield stationed just outside the penalty box. Crutchfield let the ball bounce, then volleyed a looping shot into the far corner to give the Panthers a sudden 2-1 lead.

Mount Rainier pressed in the final 15 minutes, but spurned a pair of good scoring chances in close, and the Panthers moved on.

At Snohomish H.S.

Goals—Steven Chu (MR), Gus Baxter (S), Blake Crutchfield (S). Assists—Coleman French (S). Goalkeepers—Mount Rainier: Alex Weaver, Brogan Meyers. Snohomish: Alex Fairhurst, Cameron Beardsley. Records—Snohomish 16-2-1, Mount Rainier 10-7-1.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.