SAMMAMISH — “1-2-3, no mercy!” the Snohomish girls soccer chanted as it broke its halftime huddle during Friday’s state round of 16 game against the visiting No. 12 University Titans at Eastside Catholic High School.

The No. 5 Panthers (16-3-1) were up 1-0 thanks to an early strike from senior star Nevaeh Howerton and were coming off nine straight halves of shutout soccer, having won the District 1 tournament without allowing a goal.

The notion that they would continue that trend in the second half clearly inspired the team, but it would be tested immediately. Just a minute after halftime, a University corner kick resulted in a goal from Titans senior Lilly Heaton, sending the District 6 runners-up from Spokane into a frenzy.

The Panthers refused to give in, though, earning set pieces t

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