Columbia Basin is headed back to the Final Four for the second straight season as they outlasted Everett at home 2-1 in the Quarterfinals.
In abnormally wet and rainy conditions, CBC was able to slip and slide their way through a physical game with the Trojans at home. Both teams struggled to get footing on the natural grass surface with growing mud spots throughout the day. Everett seemed poised to control the tempo and pack it in on defense not allowing any breathing room.
In the 20th minute, Everett connected on a corner kick that went to the far side and somehow found a Trojan head in a big pile as the ball snuck past Isasi on the right side. This would be the first time the Hawks trailed all season. Basin did have a header of their own late in the period but it caromed directly to the Everett keeper.
Suddenly down to just one half left to make a run, they would not be denied.
Julian Reyes sent a beautiful corner kick into the box that spilled out right to
Rafael Lucio who was able to find the back of the net for the big equalizer. From then on, CBC was the aggressor and began to take back control of the game. Shortly after, the Hawks were able to draw a penalty kick deep inside the box and
Gabriel Delgado continued with his streak of made PKs for the eventual game winner.
Basin needed just 20 minutes of defense to dig in and turn the Trojans away while avoiding any costly penalties and cards. Lead by all-region center back
Alexander Magana, the Hawks turned away everything the Trojans had left until the final whistle.
The win moves CBC on back to Starfire and Coach Martin Ramirez's 3rd final four in his tenure. The Hawks will get the winner of N1 seed Peninsula and W2 seed Clark in the 1:30Â game: Winner to the Championship match.