Mead loses heartbreaker

SUMNER, Wash. – A broken defensive play broke the hearts of the Mead boys soccer team.

Battling back from a 1-0 deficit, the Panthers eventually evened the score only to watch it slip away in the 76th minute in a 2-1 loss to Snohomish at the State 4A boys soccer semifinals in a light drizzle Friday evening at Sunset Chev Stadium.

The devastating setback came less than 5 minutes after the Panthers (17-5) tied it with 9:12 left in the game when junior Tim Doggett sneaked behind the Snohomish defense with a nifty, off-balance shot that scooted past keeper John MacArthur.

The goal ignited nationally sixth-ranked Snohomish (19-1), which was making its eighth consecutive state tournament appearance. Snohomish quickly pushed the tempo back at Mead, and when Josh Petosa sent a long pass from just inside the 50-yard line, Mead center midfielder Teale Johnson attempted to head the ball into goalkeeper Jason Gass’ hands. Unfortunately, the pair collided in front of the net, allowing Shohomish forward Brandon Kelley a clear touch shot into the wide-open net.

“It was just a miscommunication between Jason and (Johnson),” Mead head coach Matt Stueckle said. “It’s even more devastating to lose in that fashion, with a little mistake there.”

The Panthers just missed scoring in the 45th minute when Michael Shriver’s shot off a misplayed corner kick sailed wide left of the net.

“We were hoping to get it to extra time,” Stueckle said. “We played really hard and we showed a lot of heart.”

Mead takes on the Vikings for the consolation trophy today at 2 p.m.

Snohomish advanced to its third state title game in seven years and will face South Kitsap (17-2) at 8 tonight. The Wolves from Port Orchard advanced to their first boys soccer title game with a 1-0 shootout victory over Lake Stevens (18-3) in the first semifinal.