Liberty High School’s girls soccer team delivered a decisive 3-1 win over defending state champion Bellevue High School on Nov. 5, earning a ticket to the Washington state tournament and knocking the host out of contention.
Game recap
The match began with a quiet first half, leaving both squads dead‑locked at 0‑0. Senior forward Addie Streur broke the stalemate for Liberty by stealing the ball from Bellevue keeper Katelyn Moore and slotting the ball into an open net at the 43‑minute mark.
Bellevue responded quickly. Senior forward and Stanford commit Saleen Koszorus equalized seven minutes later, finishing a well‑placed shot to make it 1‑1.
Liberty reclaimed the lead in the 72nd minute when a penalty was awarded after Elle Bajsarowicz drew contact inside the box. Bajsarowicz converted the spot‑kick, putting the Patriots ahead 2‑1.
As the clock wound down, Liberty’s freshman surged down the left side with a Bellevue defender on her heels. Using her strength, Bajsarowicz held off the defender and scored the final goal, sealing a 3‑1 victory. The team celebrated with a flip, and the final whistle confirmed Liberty’s advancement to the state tournament.
Coach’s reaction
Head coach Ryan Johnson praised his players, saying, “I am just so proud of them. We just kept going and going. I couldn’t be more excited for them. This is a team we have struggled to get a win against.” He added, “We were disappointed with how we played against Mercer and didn’t get a chance for the KingCo championship, but my hat is off to every one of the girls.”
Looking ahead
The state tournament is scheduled for Nov. 10‑11, with Liberty expected to be a top‑eight seed. Their first tournament game is projected for Nov. 13.
Liberty’s 16‑1‑1 record this season reflects a strong turnaround after a loss in the 2025 state championship. The victory over Bellevue not only secured a tournament berth but also demonstrated the team’s resilience and depth, qualities that will be crucial as they face the state’s best teams.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
