Auburn Riverside falls 3-2 to Interlake in overtime semifinals | Boys soccer

Published 1:31 pm Saturday, May 30, 2015

A trip to the Washington State 3A Boys Soccer Championship looked to be in the bag for Auburn Riverside.

Playing in their first semifinals game in the history of the program, the Raven boys held a 2-1 lead with less than a minute left on the clock at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup and with goalkeeper Andy Starkle doing his best impersonation of a stonewall a trip to the title game looked a sure thing.

Then disaster struck, or more specifically Saint (14-2-1) forward Isaac Reed struck, tying the game after corralling a long pass and slipping it by Starkle to send the game into overtime.

Less than a minute into the overtime period Reed ended the contest finding the back of a wide open net to send Auburn Riverside to battle for third-and fourth-place with Ballard (15-3-1).

“That ending play doesn’t define our season,” Auburn Riverside head coach Robyn Saarenas said. “I think that we actually had a very good game, and style of soccer this year. I think we’ve been very successful this whole year. I’m really proud of what we’ve done and wouldn’t change this season for the world.

Saarenas also pointed out the fierce play of Starkle, who finished with six saves.

“I think that he kept us alive,” Saarenas said of Starkle. “A couple of his saves, both in the first and second half, really motivated us and brought a lot of energy and kept us in the game. And we were fired up as a result of the way he played.”

Offensively, Auburn Riverside was led by Michael Quiroz and Sahanie Shell both scoring goals Preston Green added an assist.

The Ravens play Ballard at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sparks Stadium with

Interlake and Garfield playing for the state title at 2 p.m.