HS Soccer: Kent Meridian Wins at South Sound Stadium

5/9/26

(Lacey, WA) The first round of the district 3 3A boys soccer tournament started on Saturday for the 5 thru 12 seeds. South Sound Stadium home of the #8 North Thurston Rams hosted the #9 Kent Meridian Royals. The Royals finished 3rd in the NPSL while the Rams took 2nd in the PSL-Nisqually.

Kent Meridian 2 North Thurston 1

The first 12 minutes of the match were the usual feeling out process with both teams playing physical but clean. After that the Royals attack picked up and in the 14th minute North Thurston defender Justin Gochez Herrera made a timely clearance momentarily slowing the Royals. However a foul by North Thurston in the 15th minute led to a free kick for KM. Senior midfielder Johnny Chino Lopez’s shot was on frame and Kent Meridian took an early lead. The Rams defense stood strong but a tough tackle in the 18 yard box saw another free kick for Chino Lopez this time from the penalty mark. NT keeper William Doerrheim guessed the right direction but Lopez’s shot hit the back of the net for the 2-0 lead. That score would hold till halftime. In the first half KM took 3 corners and NT had 1.

In the second half a lot of the action was played in the middle of the field with both teams limiting scoring opportunities. Kent Meridian had the better looks but the Rams defense wouldn’t break. Doerrheim made a spectacular diving save in the 65th minute to keep the match close. The Royals took a total of 10 corners in the match 7 in the second half but couldn’t find a 3rd goal. North Thurston had 3 corners in the match 2 in the 2nd half. The last one came with seconds left in the match. Leo Cortez took the corner and it skimmed off the head of Easton Sexton for the 2-1 final score.

MVP and Up Next

The Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP went to Johnny Chino Lopez for the first half brace and his command of the middle of the field during the game.

Kent Meridian is now 11-5-1 on the season and play District #1 Silas on 5/12 at Mt. Tahoma in the upper part of the bracket. North Thurston is now 10-3-5 on the season and has to win 2 loser out matches to get into the 3A state tournament. The first of those matches is on 5/14 at Roy Anderson Field they will play either #11 Enumclaw or #3 Auburn Mountainview.

Here is a link to the current District 3 3A Bracket