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Highline Upsets Defending Champions with 3 Second Half Goals
Posted: Nov 15, 2025

Highline Upsets Defending Champions with 3 Second Half Goals

Box Score
Scoring Summary
1st - 9:18 - Kasi Baker (N1 Peninsula)
2nd - 49:41 - Ariana Mercado (W2 Highline)
2nd - 63:42 - Kasi Baker (N1 Peninsula)
2nd - 77:30 - Ramera Bradley (W2 Highline)
2nd - 80:40 - Mia Mendoza (W2 Highline)
Game Leaders
W2 Highline
G: 3 Players (#2, #10, #12) - 1
A: Gianella Cruz - 1
Sh: Ramera Bradley - 3
Sv: Caitlyn McKenzie - 4
N1 Peninsula
G: Kasi Baker - 2
A: Atianna Tauiai Fuamatu-Ma'afala - 1
Sh: Elise Maffeo - 3
Sv: Alexandra Naill - 3
Team Stats
Full stats

TUKWILA, Wash. — The Highline Thunderbirds used three second half goals to upset the defending champions Peninsula 3-2 on Friday evening in the semifinal of the 2025 NWAC Women's Soccer Championship at Starfire Stadium.

Playing against the top defense in the NWAC during the regular season that had allowed just one goal to this point, the Thunderbirds came back from a one-goal deficit on two different occasions. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Highline initiated a strong comeback in the second half as Ariana Mercado equalized the game at 1-1 with a goal in the 49th minute. Peninsula regained the lead with a goal from Kasi Baker in the 64th minute, her second of the game, assisted by Atianna Tauiai Fuamatu-Ma'afala on a beautiful through ball. However, the Thunderbirds responded quickly as Ramera Bradley scored in the 78th minute, assisted by Gianella Cruz, to level the score once again. The decisive moment came when Mia Mendoza converted a penalty kick in the 81st minute, securing a 3-2 victory for Highline.

The match started with both teams establishing their defenses, as Highline's Caitlyn McKenzie and Peninsula's Alexandra Naill took their positions as goalkeepers. The Thunderbirds' Ximena Salmoran attempted an early shot at the 2:57 mark, but Naill successfully saved it, keeping the score level. The Pirates gained the upper hand when Baker converted an early penalty kick in the 9th minute, giving the defending champions a 1-0 lead. Despite several attempts from both sides, including a notable save by McKenzie on a shot from Peninsula's Elise Maffeo at 43:41, the score remained unchanged by the end of the first half.

Bradley led the Highline offense as she had the second goal and three shots on goal. McKenzie, in goal, recorded four saves while facing six shots, maintaining a strong presence in net.

Baker stood out for the Pirates with her two goals, converting both her shots on goal. Naill, in goal, made three saves, facing consistent pressure with six shots on target. Maffeo was active in the attack, registering three shots on goal.

The Thunderbirds move to 15-1-3 overall and advance to their first NWAC final since 2019 when they won the title over Peninsula. They will play on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. against Spokane for the title. The Pirates finish another outstanding year with a 12-1-1 overall record and the North Region championship.