Warden state bound despite loss, Knights fall in shootout

WENATCHEE - Despite being a state bound program for the first time it didn't mean that the Warden Cougars wouldn't want to accomplish a bit more before this postseason ends.

However, that goal fell short in their Class 1A/2B district playoff run as they fell 3-0 to Okanogan in the third/fourth place match Saturday at the Apple Bowl.

With the loss Warden (8-9) travels to the Seattle-area for tomorrow's Class 1A first round state playoff game against Lynden Christian.

The time and location were not announced by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) as of press time.

They enter the tournament after dropping a narrow 2-1 loss to Brewster in the district semifinal and then performing below their standards against Okanogan.

"We had one of those games you do not want to remember," Warden head coach Ed Aguilar said. "We played flat the entire game."

Okanogan scored in the match's first five minutes and that tally held up for a 1-0 halftime lead.

Despite not playing very well, the Cougars still stayed within striking range before two Okanogan strikes in the match's 70th and 75th minutes cemented the win.

"We have a lots of shot in goal, but we failed to score," Aguilar said. "We had two close chances in the second half but both just missed."

Warden outshot Okanogan 17-14.

On the bottom of the Cougars' quarter bracket is the Royal Knights who play Brewster tomorrow in first round play as well.