Penalty-kick shootouts are just a way of life during the postseason. Either a team accepts that fact or, more than likely, that team won’t be playing much longer.

The Todd Beamer Titans (13-4-3) have embraced the shootout format and are now one of only eight Class 4A girls soccer teams still playing. The Titans converted all five of their penalty kicks to upset top-ranked and unbeaten Jackson (18-1-1) in a shootout Tuesday night at Everett Memorial Stadium, 1-0, in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament.

“It felt amazing,” said head coach Joel Lindberg. “I was so proud of the girls. They weren’t intimidated by Jackson’s ranking and stepped up and played well all over the field.”

The win came just three days after Beamer qualified for state by beating Stadium, 3-2, at the West Central District Tournament in a shootout that went eight players deep before it was decided.

“We have been taking penalty kicks at the end of every practice for the last few weeks,” Lindberg said.

After playing to a scoreless 0-0 tie through 80 minutes of regulation play and a pair of five-minute overtime periods, Beamer senior captain Holland Crook tallied the game-winning penalty kick Tuesday against Jackson.

The Arizona State-bound Crook was the fifth and final shooter for the Titans. Jackson goalkeeper KC Wilson got her fingertips to two kicks, but the shots still got into the goal.

Jackson, who shot first, missed their second shot when it curled just to the left side of Beamer goalkeeper Meghan Graf, who didn’t play against Stadium after taking a knee to the back of her neck during a loss to Kentwood at the SPSL Tournament. The Timberwolves made their other four attempts.

The Titans got shootout conversions from Karlie Hall, Mackenzie Hickel, Sara Miller and Tiarra Fentress to set up Crook’s game-winner, which got by on Wilson’s right side.

“I think when it’s loser-out, some teams do play differently,” Lindberg said. “We try to focus on sticking to our game. But every day brings new challenges and you can’t predict how teams will handle them.”

Things don’t get any easier for Beamer. The Titans go from playing No. 1-ranked and previously unbeaten Jackson to the defending state champs.

Beamer will now host the Skyline Spartans at 2 p.m. today at Federal Way Memorial Stadium in the state quarterfinal round. Skyline (15-4-0) beat Woodinville to win the 2008 state title.

The winner of Saturday’s match advances to next weekend’s Class 4A Semifinals at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. It would be the Titans’ second trip to Lakewood in the past three seasons. Beamer finished as the state runner-up in 2007, losing in a shootout to Eastlake.

Jackson controlled a majority of the game from an offensive standpoint and had more scoring chances, but couldn’t convert anything, thanks to the play of the Titan defense and Graf. The sophomore’s biggest save came midway through the first half when she stopped a Jackson header off a corner kick with her leg.

Jackson also had a couple of solid scoring opportunities during the overtime session off corner kicks. But the Titan defense, led by senior Jessica Niewoehner, thwarted the chances and sent the game to the shootout.

“Even though the girls are confident in a shootout, we never play to tie,” Lindberg said. “We feel capable to beat any team in regulation.”

Today’s game with Skyline should be another low-scoring battle. The Spartans have given up just 16 goals in their 19 matches this season and have shut out eight opponents.

Skyline’s four losses came to Westview High School from Beaverton, Ore., Woodinville, Redmond and Issaquah. The Spartans have a very balanced offensive attack, led by the eight goals of senior Emily Anderson. Madi Barney has seven goals and Jackie Wilson chipped in six. Anna Morgan is Skyline’s playmaker with a team-high 11 assists.

Beamer will be counting on Crook to get them back to the state semifinals, which will be played Friday. Crook led the Titans with 14 goals and six assists during the regular season, but has yet to tally a point during Beamer’s three postseason games.

Mackenzie Hickel and Breanna Straus are second on the team in scoring with 21 total points each. Hickel has seven goals and seven assists; Straus has nine goals and three assists.

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Class 4A State Girls Soccer Tournament

Quarterfinal Round

Game 1: Monroe @ Issaquah

Game 2: Lewis & Clark @ Kamiakin

Game 3: Kentwood @ South Kitsap

Game 4: Skyline @ Beamer

Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m. at Harry Lang Stadium, Nov. 20

Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 8 p.m. at Harry Lang Stadium, Nov. 20

3rd/4th Game: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, noon at Harry Lang Stadium, Nov. 21

Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 4 p.m. at Harry Lang Stadium, Nov. 21