After losing a tightly-contested 3A KingCo title match, 1-0, in overtime to Lake Washington on Nov. 5, the Bellevue Wolverines beat the Holy Names Academy Cougars, 2-1, in penalty kicks to advance in a winner-to-state, loser-out game on Nov. 9.

Bellevue opened the scoring in the first half when midfielder/defender Courtney Serres scored off a cross from forward Rebekah Roth. The Cougars tied the game late in regulation with a goal from Megan Detuerk to send the game to overtime. With the game still tied at 1-1 after two overtime periods, the match went to penalty kicks. Bellevue was victorious in penalties to win the match. The Wolverines were set to open the state tournament in Kennewick against the Southridge Suns on Nov. 13.

KingCo tournament championship

Lake Washington senior Jen Estes scored the golden goal courtesy of a well-placed cross from sophomore Savannah Walenczak in the first overtime period to win the game.

“I told the girls beforehand, usually a final against a really good team comes down to one or two chances,” Bellevue head coach Peter Cochran said. “They scored their golden goal, which is a shame for us, but we certainly had our chances.”

Cochran said he was proud of the way his team played, especially going up against a strong opponent. Lake Washington won the regular season 2A/3A KingCo title, finishing the season with an 11-1-0 league record, their only loss coming to Bellevue, a 1-0 loss on Sept. 19.

“They took it to the No. 1 team in our league this year and it was very even, both teams had chances,” Cochran said. “I’m sad for my girls, but I’m so proud of them, they played great tonight.”

The game was evenly matched, with both teams getting chances, but neither team able to find the back of the net. One of the best chances for Lake Washington came early in the second half when sophomore Kylie Jones put a shot wide of the net.

Bellevue midfielder Morgan Pingree had a chance midway through the second frame, but Lake Washington goalkeeper Natalie Neils made the save to keep it scoreless.

“Our girls played for each other,” Cochran said. “They played great cover defense, we got forward together as a team. I’m just proud of the overall effort. The Kangs knew they were in a game tonight.”

Bellevue midfielder Morgan Pingree (12) shields the ball from Lake Washington’s Ari Issa (19) in the 3A KingCo championship game on Nov. 5. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Ault Justus

Bellevue’s Courtney Serres (right) shields the ball during the Wolverines’ 2-1 victory over Holy Names Academy on Nov. 9. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Ault Justus