Lake Washington Boys Soccer Miracle Run Ends with Shootout Loss

The Lake Washington boys soccer team's miracle run came to an end with a 2-1 penalty kick shootout loss to Southridge in the first round of the 3A boys soccer state tournament Tuesday night in Kennewick.

The Kangs were attempting to become the first boys soccer team in Lake Washington High School history to win a state tournament game, but came up just short, losing 4-2 in the shootout.

The game took on a physical tone, as four yellow cards were issued and a Southridge player was sent off late in the game.

Lake Washington took a lead midway through the second half, as Merlin Granados finished off a cross from six yards out to give the Kangs a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.

But Southridge scored just three minutes later to tie the game. The teams played two "golden goal" five-minute overtime periods before it went to penalties.

"It was a physical game," Lake Washington head coach Shaun Warner said. "A lot of falls were called."

The loss ends what had been a miracle run for the Lake Washington team, which started the season 1-5 before going 12-1-1 over its next fourteen games to secure a surprise state bid.

"If all my players had told me this is where we would be, I would have called them liars," Warner said of the team's turnaround.

The Kangs run was marked by a suddenly stingy defense and cohesive midfield unit that surrendered just 10 goals in its last 15 games after allowing 20 in its first six.

The state tournament appearance was the school's first in boys soccer since 2002. Despite the early exit, Warner said he considers the season a success.

"I just told my players I love every single one of them and I am so proud of what they accomplished," Warner said. "After this game, every one of them should walk out of that locker room with their heads held high because they did something that was really special and amazing."