SEQUIM — The Sequim Wolves are looking for a little payback as well as making school history in a state boys soccer playoff game tonight.
The Wolves (12-5) have never gone beyond the first round at state, and they’re hoping this is their year.
“Third time’s the charm,” veteran coach Dave Brasher said.
Sequim has been denied advancing at state twice before, and the most recent was last year in the first round against Bellingham.
And that’s where the payback comes in.
The Wolves take on Bellingham (15-4), the No. 2 team out of the Northwest District, today in the Class 2A first round at North Kitsap High School in Poulsbo at 5:30 p.m.
“We want revenge,” Brasher said.
The Red Raiders beat the Wolves 1-0 in overtime a year ago.
Both teams are similar. Bellingham, which has nine players back from that team, is a strong defensive team that has allowed just 11 goals all season.
The Wolves, meanwhile, have allowed only 20 goals this year and they also have nine players back from the 2009 team.
So, another 1-0 defensive battle between these two teams?
Maybe not.
“We’re not quite as good defensively as we were last year, but we are better offensively,” Brasher said.
And the Red Raiders are quick up front with a couple of players who have experience on premier teams.
One of their forwards, Matt Sanchez, has 17 goals on the year.
“This will be a tough challenge for us,” Brasher said.
This game could be similar to Saturday’s district playoff game where the Wolves nipped Steilacoom 3-2 in a shootout.
Steilacoom had a 15-goal scorer.
“He was a midfielder, though, and Bellingham’s Sanchez is a forward, which makes it a little different,” Brasher said.
The Wolves have defenders who can contain Sanchez, Brasher added.
The coach will put center-back Austin Sanford and left-back Jordy Shearer on Sanchez, and will have midfielder Zane Carey keep an eye on the forward, too.
Overall, though, the Wolves are happy to have another shot at the Red Raiders.
“We’re excited,” Brasher said. “We’re playing well, and we’re peaking, hopefully, at the right time.
“And going against Bellingham is extra motivation for us.”
It could help the Wolves, too, to be playing at North Kitsap tonight, where they have played twice this year.
North Kitsap has the kind of wide turf field that the Wolves prefer.
“We do like the field,” Brasher said. “We are a pretty decent passing-possession team, and North Kitsap has the kind of field that helps our game.”
The winner of today’s game will take on the winner between Tumwater and Archbishop Murphy in the quarterfinals Saturday.
Boys Golf PA at state qualifier
FORT LEWIS — Port Angeles freshman Terrence Stevenson came up short earning a state berth Monday at the tri-district state qualifying tournament at Eagle Pride Golf Course.
Stevenson has three more years, though, to earn a state berth.
The freshman golfer shot 91, 10 strokes away from the state cut.
Stevenson tied for 21st place. The top 14 qualified for the Class 3A state tourney.
“His driver let him down today,” Port Angeles coach Mark Mitrovich said about Stevenson.
“This course really penalizes you when you miss the fairway.
“Terrance received good experience, though, and that will help him next year.”
The Roughriders have two other young golfers who qualified for state the week before.
Sophomore Jordan Negus, who won the 3A qualifying tourney at Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course on May 10, and freshman Garrett Payton both finished in the top three to earn state berths.
The Class 3A state boys golf tourney opens May 25 at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland.
Track Forks at subdistricts
FORKS — The Spartans qualified 12 athletes for the Southwest Washington District championships from their small track team.
The district meet will start Friday.
Forks qualified the boys 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams plus several individuals.
Shane WhiteEagle qualified in the 100 meters as well as the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams while Scott Reed made it in the 300 hurdles, where he captured second place at subdistricts.
Kirsten Larson earned district berths in the 800 and 3,200 events while Brian Santman claimed a berth in the 800 race,
Roman Hurst will compete in triple jump at the district meet for the Spartans.
Lacrosse Wenatchee 17, Mountaineers 2
WENATCHEE — Scott Hershey scored four goals and an assist as Wenatchee Valley Lacrosse eliminated the Olympic Mountaineers from the Division II state quarterfinals Saturday.
Port Angeles finished the season at 8-6-0.