10/22/2026
North Thurston 2, Peninsula 0
(Lacey, WA) With just two league matches left in the season this was big for Peninsula who began the day in 4th place with a 6-2-1 record just behind 3rd place Silas at 6-1-2. Both teams with a chance to catch and overtake 2nd place Bellarmine at 7-2-0. Gig Harbor has clinched at least a tie for 1st with an undefeated and untied 9-0 record.
Meantime, North Thurston was looking to play spoiler with a 3-5-1 record trying to find a way to get into the district tournament. That would likely mean they would have to win out and see where everything played out.
7 teams from the Puget Sound League will make it to the District Tournament and the Rams were sitting in 9th position.
Defenses dominated 1st half
The hometeam North Thurston Rams were in no mood to make it easy for the favored Seahawks and battled Peninsula to a 0-0 score at halftime. Both teams would make runs at times with Peninsula maybe having the edge in possession time but no one could find the back of the net.
Keepers Emma Petersen a Freshmen for Peninsula and Sophomore Quincie Henderson for the Rams kept the goose-eggs on the board with plenty of help from their respective backlines.
2nd half saw Rams jump out to take the lead and finish
The North Thurston Rams defensively led by Naveah Rodriguez continued to pressure the Seahawks to keep them out of the goal. On a battle for the ball near midfield, Kendall Bamer got the steal and fired a perfect feed to Londyn Mckenzie who broke free and got into a one-on-one with Petersen who came out to try and smother the ball. Mckenzie one touched it to the side and tapped it in for the uncontested goal and the Rams stunningly took a 1-0 lead on the assist from Bamer.
The Seahawks had to start gambling a little bit pressing more offense to try and find the equalizer. In the 75th minute the Seahawks over-committed and Rodriguez picked up the loose ball and sent it forward to streaking Mckenzie who ran past the defender and again found herself in another one-on-one with Peterson and she fired past her into the net and the Rams took a 2-0 lead and Mckenzie earned the brace.
The insurance goal was more than enough to clinch the biggest win of the season for the Rams.
The Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP
There were several Rams who were being discussed who was going to be the MVP. Keeper Quincie Henderson had the clean sheet, Naveah Rodriguez was huge on the backline and mid-field play and got the assist for the 2nd goal and Kendall Bamer also with big deefensive pressure and mid-field play. Bamer was credited with the first assist. But it’s tough to get away from Londyn Mckenzie who scored both goals to keep the Rams hopes for a District Tournament berth alive and Mckenzie is the MVP.
What’s Next?
Both the Rams and Seahawks have one league match left to play. The Rams are now 4-5-1 and just out of the play-offs. They will wrap up their season likely needing another win and maybe some help when they host cross-district rival River Ridge who are also battling for the 7th position to get to postseason. That match is next Tuesday at 7pm.
Peninsula is heading to the play-offs no matter what but they want to head in with some momentum. The Seahawks will face their cross-district rival undefeated Gig Harbor next Tuesday night at Roy Anderson field.
Link to watch the full game broadcast on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Video Highlights
Rams take the lead in the 2nd half on a Londyn Mckenzie break-away
GK Quincie Henderson smothers a deep pass as the Seahawks try to tie it up
The Rams’ Mckenzie adds the insurance in the 75th
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