PREP SOCCER PLAYOFFS (Updated): Rivals win first playoff match on golden goal
Published 1:30 am Monday, May 11, 2026
SEA TAC — The East Jefferson boys soccer team won its first-ever playoff game Saturday 2-1 over Seattle Christian and the Rivals did it in dramatic fashion, scoring a golden goal in overtime after Seattle Christian had tied the game at the end of regulation.
“The boys played incredibly well. I’m really proud of the way they showed up,” said coach Logan Stegner.
In the regular season, Seattle Christian beat East Jefferson 4-0, but that result didn’t matter Saturday.
“To go in there with the confidence that they did, I’m really proud of them,” Stegner said.
It was the first postseason boys soccer victory since the Chimacum and Port Townsend athletic programs merged to become the Rivals.
Grady White, a rare football player/wrestler and soccer player (Port Angeles’ Oliver Martinez is the other local athlete who plays this combination of sports) scored in regulation for the Rivals.
East Jefferson was just a minute away from winning the match 1-0 but Seattle Christian scored near the end of regulation to send the game to overtime. Near the end of the first overtime period, Alan Morales scored the Rivals’ second goal to give East Jefferson the victory.
Emilio Lopez was in goal for the Rivals. Stegner said he made some “killer saves” in the game.
The Rivals (10-6-0) now enter the double-elimination phase of the tournament. East Jefferson is rewarded by playing the No. 1 1A team in the state Tuesday, Vashon (11-1-3), at Vashon.
“We’re just going to hang on for dear life,” Stegner said. The Rivals will play again Thursday against either Cascade Christian (12-3-1) or Bellevue Christian (10-4-1).
Washington 3, Sequim 1
TACOMA — The Sequim soccer team got up early against Washington but gave up three straight in a 3-1 district playoff loss, ending the Wolves’ season with a 7-8 record.
“It was a disappointing way to end the season but the team should recognize we did achieve a number of our pre-season goals,” said coach Ian McCallum. “Our overall Olympic record improved from 2025 to this season and we defeated North Kitsap for the first time since 2022.
“Washington is a skillful team and brought a lot of energy to the field,” McCallum said. “The coaches really felt that Saturday’s goal was our best goal of the season, and there has been some excellent goals this season.”
Ayden Peters broke down a Patriots attack before making a forward pass to Bjorn Henrickson, who quickly played forward to Colten Wagner, a one time pass from Wagner to Josh Alcaraz, followed with Alcaraz quickly finding Colby Roca. In all of this Henrickson made a fantastic forward run for Roca to play a pass behind the Patriots defense. Henrickson received the ball perfectly and rolled the ball into the back of Washington’s net.
Colton Anderson had another hard strike that went off the post. With the score tied 1-1, Sequim was denied a penalty kick when Max Stanford was fouled inside the box but the referee gave the foul outside the box for a free kick.
“From my perspective this was the moment in the game that changed [the game],” McCallum said. “I thought the referee allowed both teams to play physical but he got this one wrong.”
From that point on, Washington was able to score a pair of insurance goals.
“The boys should be very proud of their season and the growth, our senior group has set a great platform for this program going forward,” McCallum said.
