Frank Workman on sports: the path to the State Soccer 3A Championship goes through Shoreline Schools

By Frank Workman

For the last ten years, it has been said that the path to the State Soccer Championship in 3A goes through the schools of the Shoreline School District.

Last year, Shorecrest ran a late-season hot streak all the way to the State Championship Game before losing in the finals, 1-0. They won State in 2005 and 2009.

Two years ago it was their crosstown rivals Shorewood that went undefeated throughout the regular season, only to lose in an extra-frame shootout in the quarter-finals, to eventual champion Bainbridge.

When the boys' soccer teams from Shorecrest and Shorewood square off Saturday night at 7pm at Shoreline Stadium, a great deal will be at stake.

The teams will be playing for the District One 3A championship, no less.

In addition, the victor will host a first-round game in the State playoffs on Tuesday, May 20  (which will be televised on Channel 26 by the SC/SW Live Video Production Club). 

Both teams have already qualified for State. Saturday's losing team will have to play a first-round road game next week. 

And if Saturday's winner can win that first round game, they would host a quarter-final game next weekend.

But perhaps the most important thing the two teams will be playing for Saturday night is .... pride.

The Scots (15-3) and T-Birds (11-3-4) split their two meetings during the regular season. Shorewood defeated the Scots 3-2 in their first match on April 4, while the Scots turned the tables on the T-Birds 3-1 on May 5.

It would seem the two teams couldn't be more evenly matched.

The players from both teams are products of the local youth soccer organizations, Hillwood and Shorelake.

Coaches, parents, and current players from the two youth clubs are encouraged to come watch what promises to be a hotly contested District Championship Game between two of the best teams in the state.

Our teams.