Bridgeport, Brewster soccer teams bumped from state contention

BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport Mustangs and Brewster Bears varsity boys’ soccer teams were bumped from state competition after both schools lost in the first round of 16 games on Tuesday, May 15. The Mustangs hosted Wahluke in their 2-0 loser-out game and the Bears traveled to Royal and fell to the Knights, 1-0.
The Mustangs, who finished second behind Brewster in the Central Washington B-2B league with an 8-2 regular season record, came on strong at season’s end with a one-point win over the previously undefeated Bears. That momentum carried Bridgeport through post-season victories over 1A Caribou Trail League rivals Cashmere, 3-1, and Chelan, 2-1, and into the District 5/6 title game against the Bears. In that pitched battle at the Wenatchee Apple Bowl, May 10, the Mustangs won their first-ever District championship, 3-1.
The Wahluke Warriors finished their regular league season with a 7-3 record and second-place in the South Central Athletic Conference-East behind Royal.
“Wahluke is a team with experience in State playoffs and it took us longer to figure out how to play against them,” Mustangs head coach Gabe Gonzalez said.
While putting up a strong defense in front of their goal, the Warriors managed to score in both the first and second halves of the first-round, loser-out battle and leave their host scoreless.
“We had a great season and are proud of how we have played and everything we have accomplished this year,” said Gonzalez. “We would like to thank all of the staff and students at Bridgeport, and the community for their support this season.”
The Mustangs finished the most successful season in their program’s history with the District 5/6 trophy, Bridgeport Athletic Director Scott Darwood said.
The 9-1 Royal Knights led the 1A SCAC-East into post-season play against the CWB-2B league champion 9-1 Bears and a battle between two evenly matched teams. In a tight defensive struggle Royal pulled out a single goal to end Brewster’s state run.
Both Wahluke and Royal defeated their Elite Eight opponents and will face each other in the state semifinals at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner on May 25.