Prairie's Savannah Harshbarger (left) and Shorecrest's Madison Kellogg battle for the soccer ball Tuesday at Prairie High School.
Malaika Quigley (right) runs to hug Savannah Harshbarger (3) after Quigley headed in a corner kick by Harshbarger to help Prairie beat Shorecrest 3-0 in the first round of the 3A state tournament Tuesday at Prairie High School.
After shutting out Shorecrest 3-0 on its home turf Tuesday, the Prairie High School girls soccer team gets another shot at playing in the 3A state final four.
"This was our minimal goal, to at least get to this point," said head coach Michael Thyron. "Boy, it sure would be nice if we just get one step further than we did last year. Then I would say, this group has come full circle."
But in order to make those dreams come true, Prairie (12-5-3) has to beat defending state champion Mercer Island (17-0-1) in the quarterfinals. The game starts at 3 p.m. Saturday in Mercer Island.
Senior Malaika Quigley delivered the first and final goals of the game for the Falcons Tuesday. She will cherish the header she scored off a corner kick by fellow senior Savannah Harshbarger and celebrating with a big hug.
"After every corner we make connection, the first person to look for is her," Quigley said of Harshbarger. "If she couldn't get the ball right there in that perfect spot, then I wouldn't be able to head it in."
Senior defender Sydney Weber chipped in with her first goal of the season to give the Falcons a 2-0 advantage before halftime.
"Sydney is a fantastic kid. She's a stable player. She never has a bad game," Thyron said. "It was exciting for her to be able to close out her career at home with a beautiful goal like that."
Weber appreciated the effort of goalkeeper Allie Corral. She made some big saves in the second half to keep the shutout intact.
"Allie had such a good game. Probably one of the best games she's played all season," Weber said. "She really stepped up."
After traveling up and down I-5 twice last week, Prairie gets a few days to practice, rest and refocus before getting back on the bus and putting its season on the line one more time this weekend.
Whether the Falcons win or lose, it's been an incredible journey.
"I think we're playing really well as a team," Weber said. "We don't look for one person to get the ball to. We play together. And I think that's why we've gotten this far."
Hockinson exits in the first round of state
Kailey Findley and Ellie Seekins scored goals for Hockinson, but it wasn't enough, as Sehome defeated the Hawks 3-2 Tuesday in the first round of the 2A state tournament in Bellingham.
Hockinson finished its season with a 16-6 record. The Hawks won the 2A Greater St; Helens League championship and placed third at the district tournament to reach the 2A state top 16.
