Sports
Boys Soccer: Gig Harbor Can't Close Deal
The Tides tie Bellarmine Prep, giving the Lions the league title. The good news? Gig Harbor didn't earn a red card, so it still has chance at playoffs.
The boys soccer team needed two things Monday: to clinch the 4A Narrows League title with a win against perennial power Bellarmine Prep, and to avoid receiving a red card, which would disqualify the Tides from the playoffs.
One out of two ain't bad.
Gig Harbor (12-2-1) couldn't hold a 1-0 second-half lead—on its home turf—and tied the Lions 1-1. Bellarmine Prep (13-2-1) clinched the Narrows title with the draw.
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The hundreds of fans packed the stands at Roy Anderson Field on Senior Night watched the Tides dominate possession in the first half, as the Lions, who needed just a tie to win their eighth league title since 2002, played a defensive strategy. Gig Harbor senior co-captain Robby Ubben had a couple of chances, but the half ended 0-0.
Ubben said head coach Todd Northstrom told the team it was falling into Bellarmine's defensive-minded trap.
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"At halftime (Northstrom) told us we had a good first 10 minutes, and we fell into their game and played kick ball," said Ubben. "We weren't moving the ball back and forth, and finally, the last 10 minutes of the half, we started doing a little bit and, in the second half, we were playing a lot better."
Northstrom lamented the missed opportunities.
"We'd get the ball in front of the net"—the Tides had 10 corner kicks—"and we had trouble finishing it," he said.
Just two minutes into the second half, Gig Harbor did finish. Senior Tyler Clarke scored in the 47th minute and brought the crowd to its feet.
But Bellarmine responded only 10 minutes later when junior Joe Lovejoy scored the equalizer on a well-placed ball into the upper left corner.
The Tides were , under a new WIAA rule, when they last played the Lions in March. The team is one red card away from being eliminated from the postseason.
While all eyes were on the Tides, Northstrom he said it wasn't an issue for the team Monday night.
"It wasn't even on our mind. We just go out there and play," he said. "Things are going to happen, and you make sure you don't get involved in any stupid ways."
Gig Harbor received only one yellow card, by goal-scorer Clarke in the 67th minute.
Northstrom said he was pleased with the team's performance, especially how it finished the match.
"I was really happy with the last 10 minutes of the game when they (Gig Harbor) really went at them (Prep) when they could have folded and gotten frustrated and tried to force things," Northstrom said. "I hate ties, but I guess it was a good tie."
The Tides need a win or tie on Wednesday in their regular-season finale at Central Kitsap to clinch second place in the league. Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m.
