Skyline, Issaquah win openers, set quarterfinal date | Prep sports news

Published 9:32 am Wednesday, November 13, 2013

For the third time this season, and with a spot in the semi-final round of the 4A girls soccer state tournament on the line, Skyline and Issaquah will meet Saturday at 7 p.m. at Issaquah with only one continuing its season.

The Spartans blanked Curtis 2-0 at home Tuesday in the opening round of the tournament, using goals from seniors Bianca Saint and Jordan Branch and another stifling defensive effort to move to the next round and continue its state title defense.

Issaquah got its lone goal from Annie Hoffman on a Rachel Wheeler assist in the second half to win its opening round contest 1-0 over Gig Harbor and earn one final shot at the rival Spartans.

Skyline won the first meeting 1-0 in the final regular season game of the year to capture the conference’s best record and downed the Eagles again, 4-0 for the 4A KingCo title on Halloween.

But after three straight losses where they managed only a single goal, Issaquah has rebounded to win its last two by a combined score of 4-1 and keep its season alive.

The Spartans, which have lost only one match all year, have not allowed a goal since a 4-1 win over Eastlake Oct. 17 and own four straight shutouts entering this weekend’s quarterfinal tilt.

The two met in last year’s state title game, a 1-0 Skyline win, and also in 2009 when the Spartans won a 2-1 game for the 4A state championship.