Montesano Bulldogs Finish Fourth in 1A State Soccer Tournament

The Montesano Bulldogs concluded their 1A State Tournament journey with a fourth-place finish after a challenging weekend in Federal Way. On March 15, 2024, the Bulldogs faced Cedar Park Christian in the semifinals, succumbing to a decisive 5-0 defeat. The following day, Montesano lost to Bear Creek in a dramatic third-place match that ended in penalty kicks.

In the semifinal clash, Montesano’s aspirations of reaching the state-title game for the first time were dashed by Cedar Park Christian’s commanding performance. The Eagles, who were the top seed with a record of 17-3-1, controlled the game from the start. They struck first when senior forward Deandra Dan scored in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a rebound off the far post.

The Bulldogs, ranked fifth with a record of 17-3-2, struggled to maintain possession and were unable to mount significant offensive threats. Dan added two more goals before halftime, completing a natural hat trick with a shot in stoppage time, leaving Montesano trailing 3-0 at the break. The Eagles continued their dominance in the second half, with Dan scoring twice more in quick succession, sealing the most substantial loss of the Bulldogs’ season.

Montesano goalkeeper Izzie Taylor had a standout performance, making 15 saves, including several critical stops against point-blank shots. Despite the efforts of forwards Lex Stanfield and Jaelyn Butterfield to create scoring opportunities, the Bulldogs could only manage one shot on goal throughout the match.

The following day, Montesano faced Bear Creek in the third-place game. The Bulldogs started strong, with midfielder Lainey Robinson scoring just five minutes into the match, assisted by junior midfielder Mayce Sanchez. The momentum continued when Butterfield doubled the lead in the second half, providing Montesano with a 2-0 advantage.

Yet, as had occurred in previous matches this season, the Bulldogs were unable to maintain their lead. Bear Creek, boasting a record of 19-3-1, fought back with a goal in the 69th minute, followed by an equalizer seven minutes later, forcing the game into overtime. Despite multiple attempts on goal from Robinson and Stanfield, the match remained scoreless through both overtime periods.

The match concluded with a penalty shootout. Bear Creek converted its first attempt, while Sanchez missed Montesano’s opening shot. As the shootout progressed, the Grizzlies built a 3-1 lead, ultimately securing the victory with a final conversion.

Head coach Fidel Sanchez expressed disappointment over his team’s inability to close out games, highlighting a pattern of letting leads slip away against top programs. He praised the squad’s resilience and achievements, noting their fourth Final Four appearance in five seasons despite facing significant challenges, including injuries to several key players.

Sanchez remarked, “It was a good season. We met the objective. It was awesome to get there. But we just have to figure out how to get to that final.” He acknowledged the need for a deeper roster and a bit of luck to clinch the state title, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining health throughout the season.

The Montesano Bulldogs, despite the setbacks, showcased remarkable talent and determination, leaving their mark on the state tournament as they continue to build for the future.