ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights girls soccer team (6-0-1) had a tight game against Naches Valley (5-1-1) Tuesday evening that came down to a penalty kick shootout that the Knights won 6-5. Though the game was ruled as a tie in official standings, winning the PKs brought excitement for the team. 

"We played hard and we never gave up," said Knights junior Sarah Bergeson who shot the final PK. "We're proud of us." 

The game was a defensive battle from the beginning with Naches making an early shot on goal that was stopped by Knights freshman goalkeeper Areli Romero. Following this, Royal gained possession of the ball and proceeded to apply pressure on the opposing goal for a majority of the half.

Romero had to make another key save later in the half as she blocked a shot on goal to keep the game tied at 0-0 going into halftime. 

Returning from the break, neither defense gave way as both teams worked to create opportunities on goal. Despite their efforts, neither team scored in the second half and the game went into overtime. 

Even with two five-minute halves of overtime, the defensive game continued and even with multiple attempts on goal by both sides, the goalies held strong to keep the game at 0-0. Romero was subbed out for junior Grace Soliz in the second half of OT before the game went into PKs. 

The teams remained neck-and-neck throughout the PKs with both teams scoring an attempt, or both goalies blocking the attempt. Both teams went through all five kickers in PKs with the score at 3-3, which technically ended the game at a tie, but the teams continued battling until there was a winner. 

On the final attempt, Soliz blocked a kick from Naches and set up Bergeson to send the ball into the net and win PKs 6-5. 

"Coach told us, 'If you aim low, it'll go low. Try to hit the corner and aim for it,' and that's what I did," said Bergeson. 

Knights Head Coach Jens Jensen said the game was overall pretty frantic with windy conditions playing a factor in both sides having trouble finding the goal.  

"Nobody really was able to get the ball down and be able to connect some passes," he said.  

The coach also commended the Naches Valley defense's tough play, which was persistent in shutting down the Knights' offensive front.

Even though the win in PKs counted as a draw in RPI standings, accomplishing what they did Tuesday still matters for league standings and provided gains for the Knights internally. As they got down into those final PKs, Jensen said he had girls shooting that had never taken a PK before, which gave them experience for attempts in the future. 

He said Tuesday's victory served as a great reminder of the importance of having fun while playing soccer. 

"I think it's more fun just having that moment," said Jensen. "It's just fun having that moment with the girls and remembering that this is a game, and we're supposed to have fun." 

As Royal prepares for their next matchup, the coach said he wants to carry forward their fighting spirit from Tuesday's game. 

"You may have to scratch and claw and make some crazy saves, but you can make them make some saves too," he said. "Just stick in it, you never know." 

Bergman said she believes that if the Knights continue to work hard and never give up, they'll continue to find success this season. 

"We have a lot of freshmen who are helping us out quite a bit and we're starting to string things together," she said. 

With a tough and physical opponent in Cashmere as their next matchup, Jensen said the most important thing the Knights can do is heal up and be in their best shape possible. The coach has full confidence that his team can continue finding success throughout this season. 

"They're an easy group to be around, they're fun girls," he said. "This has been an enjoyable time." 

The Knights head on the road Thursday to face Cashmere at 6:30 p.m. 

BOX SCORE 

NCHS: 0-0-5: 1 

ROYL: 0-0-6: 1 

    Sarah Bergeson, a junior from the Knights, prepares to line up her shot on goal during overtime PKs Tuesday.
  

    Royal freshman goalkeeper, Areli Romero catches the ball and stops the Naches Valley offensive approach early in Tuesday's matchup.
  

    Aurora Santillan (22) a sophomore from Royal, battles with a Naches Valley player along the edge of the field.
  

    Knights sophomore Justine Fitzhugh calls out to a teammate down field as she works her way along with the ball.
  

    Maggie Frank, a senior from the Knights, keeps the ball out of Naches Valley possession as she looks for an opening down field.