By Michael Carman
Peninsula Daily News
TACOMA — Port Angeles dispatched Washington 5-0 in a loser-out boys soccer district playoff game to clinch the school’s first trip to the Class 2A state tournament since 2012 and sixth in program history.
Stuart Methner scored four goals in a playoff game for the second time in less than a week and Andrew St. George added the other score as the Roughriders (13-4-0) rolled past the Patriots.
“Making it to state means the world to me,” St. George said. “It means that the senior’s high school season isn’t over and we can finally redeem ourselves from past years.”
Three of Methner’s scores came on headers with St. George (third minute), Luis Galvan (42nd) and Hollund Bailey (54th) assisting on those scores and Bailey getting another assist on Methner’s 62nd minute left-footed strike to the far post.
“We started the game off strong and fought for every loose ball,” Methner said. “We dealt with their pressure well out of the back and were able to string passes together and get good crosses in. Everyone stepped up and did their job. It’s really fun to be a part of this team.”
Anton Kathol earned his sixth shutout of the season in goal for Port Angeles. He and Bailey were picked as defensive players of the match by Saari.
Methner was the offensive player of the match and Galvan, St. George and senior Gabe Long were praised for their efforts in transition.
Saari said Storm King Soccer Club also deserved credit.
“It is a testament to the Storm King Soccer Club that both Sequim and Port Angeles have advanced to the state tournament,” Saari said.
Port Angeles beat Highline 2-1 late Saturday to grab the district fifth-place seed to the state tournament. The Riders will play the winner of Liberty (Issaquah) versus Sehome, who played after press deadline.
