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Central Kitsap boys soccer ousted by bracket-busting Ballard in state opener

jeff graham, kitsap sun
·2 min read

SILVERDALE — Time and time again this spring, Central Kitsap's boys soccer team figured out ways to come out ahead in close games while claiming league and district titles.

That wasn't the case Friday as the Cougars ran up against a squad that knows a thing or two about beating the odds, as No. 15 Ballard blanked No. 2 Central Kitsap 2-0 in a Class 3A state tournament round of 16 game. The defeat snapped a 17-game unbeaten streak for CK, which concluded its season with a 15-2-2 record.

"I want to give credit where credit is due," Cougars head coach Patrick Leonard said. Ballard defensively, so good."

Despite Ballard coming into the game with a 9-9-2 record, Leonard knew the Beavers would be a problematic opponent coming out of the Metro League. Ballard sported a similar seed in 2023, No. 14, while winning four state tournament games (all by shutout) before falling 1-0 in the 3A title game against No. 1 Lincoln of Seattle.

For 80 minutes, Ballard's big, strong, physical backline prevented Central Kitsap for generating any consistent pressure.

"We're good at what we do to get around that most nights," Leonard said. "For them to make it as difficult as they did for us to find even opportunities was impressive."

Friday's game featured few opportunities for either team before Ballard found its first goal in the 31st minute following a free kick. Central Kitsap wasn't able to clear the ball and Beavers senior Carson Ruegamer pounced with a left-footed shot that snuck inside the right post.

Central Kitsap’s Eduardo Ramos-Martinez takes control of the ball in front of the Ballard goal during their Class 3A state tournament first-round game in Silverdale, on Friday. No. 15 seed Ballard topped No. 2 CK, 2-0.
Central Kitsap’s Eduardo Ramos-Martinez takes control of the ball in front of the Ballard goal during their Class 3A state tournament first-round game in Silverdale, on Friday. No. 15 seed Ballard topped No. 2 CK, 2-0.

Ballard doubled its lead with a fortunate bounce in the 60th minute after another free kick. Senior Finn Lepper collected the ball near the end line and tried to play a pass across the goal mouth, but the ball deflected off a Central Kitsap defender's leg and rolled into the net for a 2-0 Ballard advantage.

Having competed at Central Kitsap prior to coaching and having been involved with state playoff games as both a player and a coach, Leonard said sometimes bounces just don't go your way.

Central Kitsap’s Keegan Bailey (10) jumps over a slide tackle by Ballard's Jack Rollins during the Cougars' 2-0 loss in the Class 3A state tournament first-round game in Silverdale on Friday.
Central Kitsap’s Keegan Bailey (10) jumps over a slide tackle by Ballard's Jack Rollins during the Cougars' 2-0 loss in the Class 3A state tournament first-round game in Silverdale on Friday.

"Once we get here, you need a little bit of luck," he said.

While the defeat stung, Leonard pointed out that this year's team outpaced expectations, winning a league title for the first time in nine years and adding a district title after prevailing in a pair of shootouts, which the coach described as an incredible achievement for a group that graduated plenty of talent in 2023.

"In February before the season started, that room of guys right there, that was the only people who believed in what we were doing," Leonard said. "This was meant to be a rebuilding year. We are building from the ground up."

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Central Kitsap boys soccer ousted in state opener