Kennedy Catholic’s path to the 2009 Class 3A girls soccer state championship hit its final roadblock in the quarterfinal round on Saturday, November 14, at Cottonwood Field in Yakima.           

Rallying back after missing two of its first three kicks in the shootout, West Valley of Yakima topped Kennedy, 2-1, to advance to the state semifinals at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood (south Tacoma area). Holding the No. 1 state ranking much of the season, the fighting Lancers closed out at 19-2 after 14 regular season shutouts.

In the shootout, the Rams’ Ashley Richardson and the Lancers’ Alex Diaz had each scored before Rebekah Kurle gave Kennedy Catholic a 2-1 lead, bouncing her shot off the left post in the third round. Lancer goalkeepr Ashley Chard’s block of a shot had given Kurle the chance to send Kennedy ahead. Morgan McDonald got the Rams back even at 2-2, setting up the decisive fifth round. Kennedy’s Maria Diel shot over the crossbar and West Valley’s Jamie Dolquist followed with the decider into the right corner of the net.

Seamount League Most Valuable Player Kurle pushed the Lancers to a 1-0 lead with 10:57 remaining in the first half.  It was Kurle’s 28th goal of the season. The Rams (16-3) replied with their conference MVP, Haley Curtis, muscling in a shot in the 27th minute for her 20th goal of the season.

Ram goalkeeper Lee Hanses and Lancer keeper Ashley Chard displayed stellar defense in matching second half shutouts.
 
The 2009 Seamount League champion and state quarterfinalist Lancer player roster includes Ashley Chard, Jordan Kiga, Shey Thommasen, Allie Quy, Julie Besagno, Susan Hildebrandt, Samantha Crawley, Kristen Olson, Emily Mitchell, Katy Dunphy, Danielle Bojorquez, Dee Dee Green, Alex Giftopouos, Alex Diaz, Rebekah Kurle, Maria Diel, Jenna Bojorquez, Ellie Bruns, Kelsey Clark, Caitlyn Matthews, Mica Hildebrandt and Marissa Monson.

Head coach Doug Stamnes is assisted by coaches Brian Mullen and Cristin VanderPlas. Bob Bourgette is the Kennedy Catholic athletic director.