The outcome of the Wes-King 4A district soccer championship game came down to a penalty kick overtime shootout featuring the Mount Si Wildcats and Jackson Timberwolves.
The battle between 4A soccer powerhouses remained tied at 2-2 after 80 minutes of regulation and two-five minute overtime sessions. Jackson outscored Mount Si 6-5 in the overtime shootout, earning a dramatic 3-2 victory in the district title game on May 9 at Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie.
Despite the defeat, the Wildcats will still move on to the Class 4A state soccer tournament as the No. 2 seed out of the Wes-King 4A district.
The game was a battle from beginning to end. Jackson struck in the first minute when senior midfielder Kevin Giessler found the back of the net, giving his team an early 1-0 lead. Mount Si tied the game at 1-1 courtesy of a Jared Davies goal in the 11th minute.
The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead on a picture-perfect goal in the 53rd minute. Mount Si’s Mateo Didomenico delivered a perfect pass on a free kick that sophomore midfielder Paul Talens headed into the back of the net, giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.
With less than two minutes left in regulation, Mount Si stalwart defender Reed Paradissis was whistled for a foul inside the penalty box, which resulted in a penalty kick opportunity for Jackson. Giessler’s shot, which found the right side of the net, tied the game at 2-2 to force overtime.
Paradissis, who was named the defensive MVP of the 4A KingCo Conference this season, believes his squad will face Jackson again at some point during the upcoming 4A state tournament.
“The way I see it, we’re going to play them again. It is hard to beat a team twice. We want to come back and get them,” Paradissis said minutes following the loss against Jackson. “We came in with a lot of emotion tonight. I think it showed on the field but it might have been our demise in the end. We’re going to come back from this and keep playing.”
Mount Si senior forward Drew Harris concurred with Paradissis’ sentiment.
“We’re definitely going to digest this and re-evaluate some things but we played a good game. We’re still going to state (tournament) so this game doesn’t define who we are as a team. We’re ready for state,” Harris said. “We know they (Jackson) are going to have a good state run, so we’re ready to see them again. That is what we’re looking forward to.”
Mount Si sophomore Paul Talens scores a goal on a header in the 53rd minute of play. Talens goal gave Mount Si a 2-1 lead. Jackson defeated Mount Si 3-2 in overtime. Photo courtesy of Calder Productions
