Kirkland Impact makes state finals for second year | Sports brief

The Kirkland Impact 16U boys team earned a trip to the state finals last weekend.

By Megan Managan • December 14, 2011 3:44 pm
The Impact boys team (right) and Phoenix take the field in the Rec Cup state semi-final game on Dec. 11. The Kirkland team won to advance to the finals.
The Impact boys team (right) and Phoenix take the field in the Rec Cup state semi-final game on Dec. 11. The Kirkland team won to advance to the finals.

The Kirkland Impact 16U boys team earned a trip to the state finals last weekend.

During the Washington State Youth Soccer Association’s Recreational Cup the team made the state championship game after beating the Phoenix team from Mountlake Terrace in the semi-finals. With the win the team moved forward and faced Real Madrid, a team from Shelton, Wash. in the championship. Impact lost the title game in double overtime.

“I’m so proud of what our players have accomplished the last 2 years,” said Coach Pat Bartleson. “Representing District 2 as the champions and making it as a finalist in the state cup two years in a row are something the boys should be proud of and is a result of the hard work they put in all season.”

The team from Kirkland has been the District 2 champion for the last two year, as well as a Rec Cup finalist two years in a row.

The Impact roster includes the following players: Ryan Bartleson, Stephen Fleming, Conor Goodwin, Kellen Harlington, Sean Joergensen, Austin Knerr, Pao Lor, Christoph Mayr, Jonah Maki, Jason McLean, Sam Merritt, Sean Nelson, Justin O’Farrell, Jacob Reyes, Robert Snyder, Keegan Taggart, and Nahom Zaid. Coaches are Phil Goodwin, Pat Bartleson, and Steve Ellwood.