Congratulations to soccer, swim athletes from IHS, Skyline, Liberty

Girls Soccer

The Issaquah High School girls soccer team captured the second place trophy last weekend at the 4A Washington State Championship tournament, losing in a close game to Camas. The two teams were 0-0 until the end of the game, when Camas won in a shootout. In the Eagles’ four state tournament games, they did not allow their opponents to score a single goal.  

“No other team did that. In my nine other trips to the championship match, I don’t recall any of our teams ever doing that. And we didn’t win?" Coach Jason Lichtenberger said. “The girls gave everything they had and played extremely well. It’s everything you would script as a coach, and it still wasn’t enough. I think that is why it stings so much still.” 

In the semifinals and the finals, IHS played the top two seeded teams. Those teams were undefeated, had scored in every game and were two of the highest-scoring teams in the state, Lichtenberger said. “We shut them both out, pulling off a 1-0 upset over No. 2 Richland, and battling No. 1 Camas to a 0-0 tie in the title match, only to lose in the game of chance that is called a penalty shootout,” he continued. “I could not be more proud of this group. They played some of their best soccer of the season in these extremely high-pressure, intense games. I could not have asked for anything more from them.” 

The Skyline High School girls soccer team also played in the state tournament, and placed fourth.  

Coach Don Braman said that this year’s Spartans were the most prolific scoring team in school history, scoring 79 goals in 21 games this season. 

“Despite the offensive prowess, it was our defending that got us through to the final 4,” Braman said. “We conceded only one goal in the first two rounds of the state tournament despite missing three starters.” 

In the state quarterfinal game, junior Andra Marinescu only allowed one kick in four rounds as the game advanced in penalty kicks. 

“Her great performance was only one of many, as she inspired her teammates to play at their best,” Braman said.  

The Skyline girls also won the KingCo Championship for the 10th time in school history. 

For the full bracket from the state championship, visit the WIAA website. 

Swim and Dive 

Swimmers from IHS, Skyline and Liberty High School competed recently in the 4A (IHS and SHS) and 3A (LHS) state championships in Federal Way. Individuals who placed in the top 10 at those events include: 

Issaquah High 

• Gillian Tu, junior, first place in the 50-yard freestyle, 24.00; second place in the 100-yard breaststroke, 1:01.5. 
• Maddy Jia, senior, third place in the 100-yard butterfly, 58.26; eighth place in the 100-yard backstroke, 1:02.42. 
• Chloe Dandeneau, freshman, ninth place in the 200-yard freestyle, 1:42.62. 

Skyline High 

• Jade Fontenelle, senior, second place in the 1-meter dive, 332.3 points. 
• Kaylie Jenkins, senior, sixth place in the 1-meter dive, 280.85 points. 
• Calliope Kim, junior, ninth place in the 100-yard breaststroke, 1:06.22. 

Liberty High  

• Relay team, eighth place in the 400-yard free relay, with a time of 3:41.99: senior Olivia Briggs, junior Savanna Taylor, junior Keira Pham, junior Keaton Canaday. 

Our prior fall sports update, including results from cross country, is available here.