Lady Bears claim District crown in soccer shootout

BREWSTER – Neither near-freezing weather nor a game knotted 1-1 in overtime could derail the undefeated Central Washington 2B League champion – and now 2B Bi-District titlist – Brewster from its relentless march to the 1B/2B state soccer finals next weekend.
In a tight defensive battle each team scored a goal in the first half of the championship contest and ramped up the pressure through the second 40-minute period. Despite numerous shots on goal by both sides, the score remained tied through the second half.
A five-minute overtime period did nothing to break the deadlock so the game advanced to a deciding shootout with each side alternating from the penalty line.
Both sides missed on the first attempt.
Brewster’s second kicker, Yvette Sanchez scored the first goal for the Lady Bears, and Marlisa Garcia connected on the next round.
Arianna Rendon’s attempt was blocked by Liberty Bell’s goalkeeper Lauren Ochoa.
With the Lady Lions trailing by two goals, Brewster’s Alondra Torres stepped to the line to score the third and deciding goal for the Lady Bears.
Brewster’s first state challenger will be Crosspoint Academy, ranked ninth in the state this season.
The next four state rankings behind the Lady Bears are Adna, Friday Harbor, Liberty Bell and Life Christian Academy.
Liberty Bell, the only other Central Washington 2B League team in the state race, will face 2016 defending champion St. George’s at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane.