BELLINGHAM - Warden set up their showdown with the Knights after doubling up on their history making season.

The Cougars took control defensively and never let up as they cruised to an impressive 3-1 win over Lynden Christian yesterday at Bellingham High School.

Warden (9-9), who is making its first ever trip to state has now also won the first playoff game in school history.

Elias Valencia tallied to scores in the game's second and eighth minutes of the first half to help the Cougars to a 2-0 halftime lead.

The two teams battled to a draw for the first 33 minutes of the second half before Lynden Christian cut the lead in half.

But a battle tested Cougars squad iced the win five minutes later when Hector Camacho pounding home a service from Santos Gonzales.

"The defense played very well to shut them down," Warden head coach Ed Aguilar said. "Also I was impressed with how our younger players brought energy to the field."

With Warden advancing to the Class 1A state quarterfinals they are the last remaining 'B' school in the field.

Next they will try to get past the Knights.

"That is going to be a tough game," Aguilar said.