Kevin Kershaw's Four Goals Propels Tahoma to District Championship

5/13/2025

(Sumner,Wa)

Tahoma Bear Kevin Kershaw scored four goals and Tahoma keepers Jackson Kokich and Asher Ghavam combine for a shutout in the district semifinal against Olympia. Tahoma scored their season high six goals in a resound win over Olympia. The victory puts Tahoma in the District Championship Game for the second time in three seasons.

Kevin Kershaw tallied four goals while Shaw Nishizawa and Cooper Tschimperle added goals for the NPSL Champions.

Olympia came into evening already assured their first trip to state since 2018. A 3-1 win on Saturday against Emerald Ridge set the stage for the capital of Evergreen State hoping to mark the kingship atop the district. In their way, a Tahoma Bears team that had only allowed seven goals all season. Tahoma had shutout their opponents ten occasions and five of the last six games, including a 1-0 win over Curtis on Saturday to book a trip to state.

Olympia started Miles Gould between the pipes while Asher Ghavam started in goal for Tahoma.

Kevin Kershaw did not start the match for Tahoma, but his impact would be made in the blink of an eye in the 26th minute. Kershaw slid the first goal of the match to put Tahoma up 1-0. Minutes later, Kershaw was on it again. This time, retrieving a pass from Shaw Nishizawa. Kershaw struck again off the Nishizawa pass and Tahoma led 2-0 at the 28th minute. Shaw Nishizawa scored in stoppage time to put Tahoma in front 3-0.

The second half saw Tahoma goalkeeper Jackson Kokich replacing Asher Ghavam. Kokich had just arrived from qualifying for state in golf earlier that day. The senior keeper completed an eventful day with patrolling the goal for Tahoma in the half number two. Offensively, Tahoma put the pedal to the metal. Kershaw stashed a rebound from a shot from Zeth Lucero for the hat trick in the 46th minute. Cooper Tschimperle scored in the 60th minute, and Kershaw scored his four in the 66th minute. Tahoma cruised to a 6-0 win, booking their ticket to the district championship game. The six goals marked a season high for most goals scored in a game by Tahoma.

Our Thorbeckes Game MVP of the Match was Kevin Kershaw with his six goals in the win.

Tahoma faces Union Thursday night at 7:30 in the District Championship at Federal Way Memorial Stadium. A game to be found on ESN.

To catch the full game broadcast Click Here (Subscription Required).

Included is our interviews with Game MVP Kevin Kershaw and Tahoma Head Coach Rick Maloy including highlights from the game.

ESN Interviews Game MVP Kevin Kershaw after 4 Goal Game