The team celebrates after the final whistle confirms they are going to state. Photo courtesy Emily Yang.

Mercer Island Girls Soccer defeated Bellevue in the KingCo Championship Tournament game, advancing directly to the 3A State Tournament.

“I think this game will be a tough one, and the whole game will be close and a nail-biter,” said captain Gretchen Blohm, assessing the stakes one day before the highly anticipated match.

In the first half, possession was dominated by Mercer Island, with an early goal by Lanie Martin putting them up 1-0 against Bellevue.

Mercer Island managed to maintain significant pressure on Bellevue from kickoff with additional shots on goal by Jackie Gilroy and Emily Yang.

After a first half dominated by the Islanders, Bellevue struck back with a goal at the beginning of the second half to tie the game 1-1.

Both sides became aggressive in the latter portion of the second half, which led to a back and forth for its entirety. Despite many on-target shots in the half, Mercer Island failed to secure a goal and the game advanced into overtime.

After 10 minutes of overtime, the game was still tied. It then progressed into a penalty shoot-out.

Penalty Kicks

Emily Yang: Score

Bellevue: Score

Emily Arron: Miss

Bellevue: Score

Jackie Gilroy: Score

Bellevue: Score

Elaina Martin: Score

Bellevue: Score

Ashley Rudd: Score

Bellevue: Miss

Jackie Stenberg: Score

Bellevue: Miss

Mercer Island advanced to beat Bellevue 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out, with the help of goalkeeper Amy Braman, who saved Bellevue’s fifth and sixth penalty kicks.

“I was very hyped for [penalty kicks],” Braman said. “I was very excited because I get to save my team and if they score on me it’s not really on me, but if I save it, it’s awesome. So it worked out in the end.”

With this victory, Mercer Island has now secured a position in the state tournament after becoming 3A KingCo champions, giving them another chance for a state title this year.