3A soccer: Friendships will outlast Mountain View’s pain

The Mountain View boys soccer team’s season had just ended in an instant.

But senior forward David Warne focused on what would last well beyond Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to Gig Harbor in the Class 3A bi-district playoffs.

“The thing I’m going to remember most is definitely the friendships,” he said. “The bonds and connections we’ve made over the past four years and the way we’ve gelled. These are friends for life.”

A free kick by Chase Tovey sent Gig Harbor into the state playoffs. His kick from just outside the 18-yard penalty area rocketed into the goal’s top-left corner with two minutes left in the second golden-goal overtime.

The free kick came after Mountain View’s goalkeeper came forward to collect a backward headed pass. He gathered the ball barely outside of the penalty area and was whistled for handball.

The Tides tied the game five minutes into the second half. Chase Alire scored from 10 yards after a low crossing pass found him in stride.

Mountain View had a golden chance five minutes later. But Gig Harbor goalkeeper Winston Sappenfield made a one-on-one save on a Mountain View counterattack.

The Thunder were denied their first state playoff berth in three years. Coach Dustin Johnson said the team has much to be proud of, including a 3A Greater St. Helens League title.

“I really have nothing but great things to say about this season in terms of my guys,” Johnson said. “Mountain View hasn’t had a league title in quite a while. If anything, this year was a major success for our program. We’re going to continue to grow from here.”