Renton, WA – The Liberty girls soccer team, known as the Patriots, rebounded from a disappointing state‑final loss last season by beating the Bellevue Wolverines 3-1 in the final consolation match of the KingCo tournament on Nov. 5. The victory, played at Bellevue High School, not only avenged the 2025 state championship defeat but also positioned Liberty as a top‑five seed heading into the state tournament.
Game recap and key performances
Senior forward Elle Taylor said the team entered the match “hungry” and determined to out‑work their familiar opponent. Head coach Ryan Johnson praised the game plan, noting, “We just kept battling, we gave one up but just kept going and going.”
Liberty broke a ten‑game winless streak against Bellevue, a stretch that included seven losses and three draws. The Patriots struck first after halftime when senior Addie Streur stole the ball from Bellevue goalkeeper Katelyn Moore and scored in the third minute of the second half.
Freshman Elle Bajsarowicz added to the momentum, drawing a penalty that senior Mia Carr converted for the game‑winning goal. Bajsarowicz also scored later in the match and celebrated with a back‑handspring.
Bellevue responded when senior Saleen Koszorus, a Stanford commit, equalized in the 50th minute. Johnson lauded Koszorus, saying, “She’s an amazing player. She’s going to have a great college career, the readers might see her in a World Cup one day.”
Looking ahead to the state tournament
Liberty earned the No. 5 seed and will face Bishop Blanchet at Peninsula High School on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. The team is optimistic about its chances, with Bajsarowicz expressing excitement: “I am super excited to see what it is like and experience state.”
Coach Johnson highlighted the development of younger players, noting that Bajsarowicz’s speed and natural talent make her a promising “number nine” for the Patriots. He added, “She’s got natural talent and sometimes that will showcase itself.”
Community support and school spirit
The victory sparked enthusiasm among Liberty supporters, who see the win as a sign of the program’s resilience and growth. The Patriots’ success reflects the strong tradition of high school athletics in the Renton community, where families and fans rally behind their teams.
With the state tournament approaching, Liberty aims to build on its momentum and bring a championship home for the first time since 2018.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
