SEATTLE – 5/19/15 - It was a battle of two high-powered offensive teams in this playoff matchup, but a late run was the key factor that lifted the Skyline Spartans over Seattle Academy, 12-7, Tuesday evening at the Jane Addams Fields.

The first period was a back-and-forth one with both teams exchanging shots, and goalies making point-blank saves. Seattle Academy captain Riley Johnson found the senior, Charlie Phelps creeping up towards the crease from X for a feed and finish to put the game at 4-3 Skyline heading into the break.

The 2nd quarter was much of the same. Skyline’s Andy Hutchings found a break in the Seattle Academy defense, pushed it on transition and buried a high, hard bouncer to send the Spartan sideline jumping. But the momentum would quickly come to a rest as Seattle Academy answered with a goal of their own off a Riley Johnson left-to-right split straight to a 5-hole sidearm rip. Then, with time winding down in the half, Skyline’s Jeff Harris ran the field for a top-shelf laser off a feed from the keeper to spread the Spartan’s lead heading into half.

Both teams had a shots on shots throughout the game. The first half was much focused on well-executed transition game, and ability to spread each others’ defenses for feed and dump opportunities. While the Spartans’ defense seemed to figure out Seattle Academy’s offense, eventually forcing outside shots, Seattle Academy’s keeper Andrew McCall stood strong all game denying multiple crease opportunities to keep his team in the battle.

Heading into the 3rd quarter, it was apparent that Seattle Academy was hyped heading out of the huddle, and it showed. Parker Woo backed down his defender up top to find senior Riley Johnson parked alone on the crease for an easy dump. Minutes later, Parker Woo would add another point to his stat sheet, taking a left to right dodge for a quick side arm rip to tie things up.

While Seattle Academy seemed to have found their groove, it was the Spartan’s defense that really turned things around, allowing just one goal from the Seattle Academy offense in the final 12 minutes. On Skyline’s side, the team went to work, scoring 6 to bury Seattle Academy. Tyler Johnston caught a feed pass from Charlie Kurtenbach on a man-up for the inside finish, and then Jeff Harris would fight his way through the Seattle Academy defense for a high finish.

As the clock ran down on Seattle Academy’s season, Skyline stormed the field celebrating their 12-7 win to advance to the quarterfinals – their 13th overall win of the season.