Blue Valley Northwest advances to Class 6A state soccer championship

One year after ending their Kansas Class 6A state title defense in the semifinals, the Blue Valley Northwest boys soccer team has a chance to finish on top and directly avenge the loss that knocked them out.

Senior midfielder Brian Kim scored the game’s only goal with a buzzer beater in the final minute of the first half. The Huskies held their lead and topped Dodge City 1-0 at the College Boulevard Activity Center.

“Since a year ago today, when we lost in the semifinals, this is all they have said with the slogan ‘Unfinished business,’” Huskies coach Rick Pribyl said. “I am very happy for them.”

Blue Valley Northwest, 18-1-0, will face Washburn Rural, 17-2-1, in the championship game at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Washburn Rural topped Blue Valley Northwest 1-0 in the semifinals last year.

Washburn Rural 2, Olathe East 1

The Kansas Class 6A defending champions came out strong and aggressive in the state semifinals on Friday night.

Olathe East even briefly held a lead after a seventh-minute goal, but gave up the equalizer moments later and eventually fell 2-1 to Washburn Rural at the CBAC. It was a rematch of the 2014 state championship game, which Olathe East won 2-1.

“Their height, size and athleticism is very dangerous for any team,” Hawks coach Terry Hair said. “We took our best shot at trying to defend against them and were not successful.”

Senior forward Logan Steen corralled a bouncing ball in the box and sent it home for the Hawks’ only goal. Washburn Rural scored in the eighth and 25th minutes.

The Hawks fell to 18-2-0 with the loss and will play for third place at noon on Saturday.

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 11:24 PM with the headline "Blue Valley Northwest advances to Class 6A state soccer championship."