Braves vs. Athletics Highlights

[mouakter14]

JDHS senior Owen Rumsey had the final pressure kick and tucked it neatly away for a 5-4 advantage and at least assuring another shootout.

That would not happen as Walker guessed the right direction on Service senior Matej Omalley and covered his kick for the 1-1 (5-4) win, saving the chance for a state title.

“I mean, that is amazing,” an emotional Walker said. “That was my first pen (penalty shootout) ever and it just felt amazing to be able to win that and I didn’t know, I didn’t think I would be able to but I persevered and I did it…the pressure was pretty much the same with each shooter, I just held my own and went through it. I did it and we won.”

The Crimson Bears had numerous opportunities to go down country wise email marketing list and stay down, but they handled each adversity with vigor.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ahmir Parker (9) hits a penalty shootout past Service sophomore keeper Nathaniel Thate (00) during the Crimson Bears’ 1-1 (5-4) win over Service to open the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Soccer State Championships at Wasilla High School on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Ahmir Parker (9) hits a penalty shootout past Service sophomore keeper Nathaniel Thate (00) during the Crimson Bears’ 1-1 (5-4) win over Service to open the 2025 ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Soccer State Championships at Wasilla High School on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS senior Reed Maier twice took a tumble in the physical play and stood up grimacing in pain from a should injury, senior Ahmir Parker injured his ankle in the second half and battled on, senior Kai Ciambor was tripped and pushed and crushed under physical play through the evening and each of the Crimson Bears that took to the pitch went elbow-to-elbow with the Service side.

“Just power through it,” Maier said. “We can get four states in a career, for me two, and it is once in a lifetime so you have to work and just go through it…It was definitely painful, a lot of work, but I’m happy we came out on top, especially in the fashion that we did, getting that goal with two minutes left.”

Service had taken a 1-0 first-half lead on a score by the Cougars’ Stacy that was knocked about in the JDHS box before finding a way in.