After a resounding 4-0 win over Bear Creek in the bi-district opener Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Oak Harbor, the South Whidbey High School soccer team can lock up a state berth with one win in its next two matches.

The Falcons (16-2-1) now face Overlake (8-4-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at Granite Falls. That winner earns a state trip; the loser will play the loser of Lynden Christian (9-7-1) and Bush (7-5) at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Granite Falls in a winner-to-state, loser-out match.

South Whidbey 4, Bear Creek 0

The two schools tied 3-3 during the regular season Oct. 10 in a contest that broke the Falcons’ season-starting 10-match win streak.

South Whidbey held a 3-1 lead in that match before the Grizzlies rallied. The three Grizzly goals were the most allowed by South Whidbey in a regular-season match.

The Falcons didn’t allow Bear Creek, winners of the 2011 and 2012 state titles, to comeback in Tuesday’s loser-out match.

South Whidbey dominated possession throughout and rammed home two goals in each half, all while producing a stonewall defense that stymied the Grizzlies.

Elizabeth Haines scored first for the Falcons on an assist from Simone White.

The second goal came on a long free kick by Aston Helseth that sailed over an attempted save by the Grizzly keeper.

Mikenna Wicher added both second-half goals with assists from White and Alison Papritz.

“It was a true team win with all facets of the game working,” coach Terry Swanson said.

Kelly Murnane advances the ball for the Falcons. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)

Simone White, center, battles for possession for South Whidbey. (Photo by Jim Waller/South Whidbey Record)