The Reporter

Defense has taken center stage for Kentwood’s girls soccer team this season.

On Wednesday night at Federal Way Stadium, the Conquerors showed they also can put the ball in the net with the best of them.

Behind a pair of goals from sophomore midfielder Kiana Kraft and yet another defensive gem, the Conquerors turned back Beamer 3-0 for the South Puget Sound League title.

It’s the second straight title for the top-ranked Conquerors.

“That was an excellent, excellent win,” Kentwood coach Aaron Radford said. “I was hoping that we’d be able to put together a game like this. It was very nicely done.”

The win gives Kentwood (15-0-2) the top seed into Saturday’s district tournament at Bethel High. Kentwood will play Gig Harbor in a loser-out, winner-advances to state game at 3 p.m. at Art Crate Stadium.

Courtney Johnson and Megan Walburn combined in goal for the shutout against Beamer. It’s the duo’s 14th shutout of the season.

And while defense shined, the offensive performance cannot be overlooked.

The three goals scored by the Conquerors is the most Beamer (13-2-2) has allowed all season.

Kraft opened the late-night game by netting Kentwood’s first goal at the 36th-minute mark on an assist from Chelsi Pennington. Jolene Crook-Meyers delivered on a free kick in the 53rd minute while Kraft rounded out the scoring two minutes later on an assist from Cari Witruk.

Meanwhile, Tahoma pushed to within a win of state, upending Puyallup on Wednesday night, 2-1.

The Bears (9-4-4) had to come back from an early 1-0 deficit to beat the Vikings and nab the SPSL’s fifth seed to Saturday’s district tournament.

Tahoma’s Kaylee Osterman tied the game in the 37th minute with an unassisted goal. Six minutes later, Savannah Johnson put the Bears ahead for good with an unassisted goal of her own.

Tahoma plays Beamer in a winner-advances, loser-out game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Art Crate Stadium.

The Bears haven’t advanced to the state tournament since 2005, when they won the title.