Civic Stadium in Bellingham plays host to 2A state soccer on 5/14/19 when Sehome battles Port angeles at 6:00pm. PHOTO: Doug Lange
State Soccer: Sehome in Action at Civic Stadium
May 14, 2019
The Sehome boys soccer team will open up the 2A state playoffs in familiar territory Tuesday night. The Mariners will battle Port Angeles at Bellingham's Civic Stadium in the round of 16 at 6:00pm.
Sehome comes into the match red hot. They are 15-1-3 overall with their lone loss coming all the way on March 19th. The Mariners claimed the district championship with a 2-1 victory over Liberty on Saturday.
Port Angeles sports a 13-4-1 record. The Roughriders captured the 5th seed out of the West Central District with a 2-1 overtime victory over Highline on Saturday.
Sehome fell in the quarterfinals at state last year. Coach Richard Henderson says his squad definitely has a feeling of unfinished business heading into state play this year.
That feeling could pay dividends. Sehome avenged this years lone loss to Burlington by beating the Tigers 3-1 in the district semifinals last week. Henderson said that early loss to Burlington has proven to be a big learning lesson and motivator for his team's 15 match unbeaten streak.
"People watch our videos, they scout us and there's not really a secret there, said Henderson. "How we train and tactical flexibility I think that has been the biggest thing along with that Burlington loss has been the cause for this group not to take anything for granted."
While both teams have been prolific at scoring goals, with Sehome registering 54 and Port Angeles 51, We may get a very defensive minded game at Civic. The Mariners have surrendered only 12 goals all season long, recording 11 clean sheets. Opponents of the Roughriders only found the back of the net 18 times, while recording 9 shutouts.
MORE: Listen to our interview with Sehome coach Richard Henderson
"They're a little more direct than we are. They have a lot of pace in the attacking areas, so they rely on 1-v-1 ability," said Henderson. "It's more about how we do, how we show up."
Tuesday's winner will play either Woodland or Sequim on Friday or Saturday in the quarterfinals. The 2A state championship match will be played May 25th at 5:00pm at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.
- Doug Lange
Sehome boys soccer coach Richard Henderson. PHOTO: Doug Lange
