Federal Way advances to final eight in boys soccer state tournament

Eagles win 2-1 over Gonzaga Prep on Tuesday, will battle Jackson in state quarterfinals.

By Olivia Sullivan • May 16, 2019 2:55 pm

Despite a mid-game downpour and a few moments of panic on the field, Federal Way boys soccer team won 2-1 over Gonzaga Prep, advancing the Eagles to quarterfinals of the 4A state championship tournament.

“We had the battle, but that’s this time of the year,” said Jason Baumgardt, FWHS boys soccer head coach. “You can throw out records, accolades, and all that stuff because it doesn’t mean anything when you get to state.”

Everybody starts with a clean slate and a hope that their team will be the one to win it all, Baumgardt said.

Federal Way sophomore Jose Hernandez scored in the first half and junior Alexiz Alvarez pulled the Eagles to victory with a goal in the second half. Junior Usbaldo Estrada had one assist.

As Gonzaga Prep’s dreams of state glory came to a disheartening end on Tuesday at Federal Way Memorial Field, Bullpup players across the field hung their heads in defeat, others dropped to their knees in anger.

The Eagles now hold an undefeated 14-0 record in league play, 17-3 overall, landing in the top eight of 260 teams in Washington.

This win is a huge deal to the Eagles, Baumgardt said.

Federal Way won 3-2 against Kent Meridian on May 9, followed by a 3-0 loss to Puyallup on May 11.

Baumgardt said earning a spot in the final eight means “now, everything is a reward.”

On the field, the Eagles need to continue to have faith in one another if they want to go all the way, he said.

“We’re a very talented team,” he said. “We just gotta have more trust in each other, and not get so erratic.”

Although, at this point in the season, it doesn’t matter as much about how you achieve the victorious outcome because “a win is a win,” he said.

For the quarterfinals battle, Federal Way faces Jackson High School from Mill Creek. Jackson defeated Hazen 3-0 on Tuesday, May 14, knocking the Highlanders from the state tournament.

Federal Way will play Jackson at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Everett Memorial Stadium (3900 Broadway in Everett).