Royal rumble: KM soccer wins first state game since 1981

Back when Phil Collins was blasting through boomboxes and “Start Me Up” was playing through the radio waves, Kent-Meridian won its only state playoff soccer game in school history. The Royals defeated then Woodway High School 5-1 in the first round of the state tournament on May 15, 1981.

This year, the Royals were tasked with taking on the Ballard Beavers in the opening round of the 2025 state tournament. Kent-Meridian broke its 42-year state drought back in 2023, and were faced with the exact same task two seasons ago.

The two sides went to overtime level at 1-1 ,but the Royals won the match in the shootout, 4-2, on May 20 at French Field this time around.

In 2023, Ballard downed Kent-Meridian 5-0 at Interbay Stadium. Not only did they score their first goal in the state tournament this century, but they also won their first state playoff game in 16,076 days.

“We have good players, we have a good team. We have what we need to make it far in this tournament,” Keilor Garcia said in Spanish through Anthony Diaz as translator.

The Royals went 4-for-4 on penalty shots, but Joey Villanueva set the tone between the posts, making a huge save on the first Beaver attempt.

“What a monster. Their keeper had an amazing save on Keilor’s shot, then for Joey to come out like that. Oh my goodness, that was fun to watch,” Manager Brain Gabert said.

The next Ballard attempt went wide and the Royals had a quick 2-0 lead on penalties. The four Kent-Meridian Royals were cool, calm and collected, feeding off Villanueva’s energy. Keilor Garcia went first followed by Gael Aguayo San Juan, Johnny Chino Lopez and the winner, Davyan Martinez. Garcia showed his mental strength as a footballer and got back on the horse.

“For Keilor having to face the same keeper twice, that is hard to do. It was fun, that was a big situation. But Joey makes a big save then we are in this,” Gabert said.

The biggest play in the game, before Davyan Martinez put the game on ice by making the fourth penalty, made every Kent-Meridian fan queasy.

A long ball from Johnny Chino Lopez put Delano Valerio on the break inside the Ballard penalty area. He was fouled, giving the Royals a chance to win the game in overtime. NPSL first teamer Keilor Garcia took the ball and was going to take the penalty. With all eyes on Garcia, he sent a shot to Hadden Muench’s left, but the Ballard keeper made a remarkable save to keep his team in the game.

Garcia was clearly shook up after the penalty miss.

“It was a good penalty but even a better save. My teammates picked me up and told me we still have time. When penalties came around, I knew it was going in,” Garcia said through Diaz.

Before the drama of overtime or penalties set in the minds of the players on the pitch, the Royals, who were the higher seed, were playing like the team out to prove something.

Martinez dribbled along the endline in the 10th minute and beat four Ballard defenders before dishing the ball off to Johan Zuluaga. Seeing a goal go in, and taking an early lead, helped settle the nerves for the Royals.

The Royals enjoyed a short 10-minute lead in the first half as a free kick pinballed its way off Ballard’s Theo Curt, then the right post, then Villanueva before trickling across the goal line.

The two sides then were locked in combat for 70-straight minutes, going chance for chance. A game that was a 5-0 blowout just two seasons ago turned to a battle of wills.

With the win, the Royals not only make their own history, but survive another day. For their next challenge, they take on Mercer Island, the KingCo champion and No. 3 overall seed.

“It’s super fun like I said, it’s a great team. I am happy to have another week of practice, but it’s not going to be the last,” Garcia said.

Joey Villanueva exuberant after making a save in the penalty shootout. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Keilor Garcia pumps his fist in celebration. Ben Ray / The Reporter