Snohomish blanks Kelso 2-0 in state opener

SNOHOMISH. The No. 13 seed Snohomish Panthers defeated the No. 20 seed Kelso Hilanders 2-0 on Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Stadium to advance in the state tournament.

Sophomore Jenna Pahre opened the scoring in the 12th minute. She dribbled from near midfield and fired a shot from well outside the 18-yard box. The ball struck the crossbar and dropped into the net. The goal gave the Panthers, who finished the regular season with a record of 13-6-1, the early lead.

Senior Emmery Fedewa added the second goal in the 62nd minute. Ellison Owen won the ball with a double touch against a Kelso defender and shot from outside the box. Kelso goalkeeper Eden Richardson made the initial save, but the ball rebounded into the six-yard box. Fedewa controlled the loose ball and finished the play. The final score was 2-0.

Snohomish coach Brielle Dodge credited the team's defensive structure for the shutout. Senior goalkeeper Ella Beaver left her line multiple times to engage attackers, including a tackle on Kelso's Macy Watkins in the 38th minute. Senior Lizzie Allyn moved to center back to replace the injured Halle Long, helping the team build possession from the back.

The Panthers earned their state berth after a 1-0 loss to Shorecrest in the District 1 3A semifinals on Nov. 3. They secured the final spot with a 3-0 win over Ferndale in a district consolation match on Nov. 5. Kelso entered the game after losing to Prairie in the District 4 3A Championship on the same day.

The Panthers will play on the road against fourth-seed Gig Harbor in the Round of 16 on Friday. Last year, as the fifth seed, Snohomish reached the state quarterfinals. Dodge described the team as gritty and noted that they rely on selfless play rather than year-round select experience to compete against disciplined opponents.

Pahre said she took the shot because Kelso defenders were stepping off her. "Our only options were from far back, and so yeah, I took it," Pahre said. Dauer, who made a key defensive tackle in the 66th minute, said the team found its shape in the second half. "In the second half, I think we were able to put it together," Dauer said.