LYNDEN - Lynden Christian goalkeeper Louisa Brisbane, her six fellow senior starters and coach Brent De Ruyter didn't have much time to get overly nervous about the loser-out first round of the postseason, but they've had a year to chew on a miserable memory.

De Ruyter said last year's two-and-out disappointment in the Class 1A Tri-District Tournament "gives us powerful motivation" for the seniors in their push to earn the program's first state berth.

LC's 2-0 victory over Friday Harbor in the only round of the six-team, loser-out Northwest District Tournament eliminated the Northwest Class 1A/2B league champion Wolverines (7-7-2) on Wednesday, Oct. 26, and propelled the Lyncs (11-4-2) to a first-round Tri-District contest in another loser-out game.

For the third big game this week, LC will be home with everything on the line. The Lyncs will face Cedar Park Christian at noon Saturday, Oct. 29.

"I didn't find out until Monday night (after LC's 6-2 regular season-ending win over Meridian, giving the Lyncs the Northwest Conference's top 1A seed) that it would be double-elimination (against Friday Harbor)," said Brisbane, who frustrated the feisty, quick and physical Wolverines with five significant saves.

De Ruyter said he also came to same nerves-inducing realization Monday night, but he figured it was also a blessing, since his girls weren't thinking about what was at stake for more than two nights.

"It seems like things (in the tournament) change every year," said longtime Friday Harbor coach Mark Fishaut, who expressed great pride in his team's effort. The Lyncs came in with the huge advantage of having been honed against strong Class 2A and 3A competition in the NWC. Friday Harbor came in with its fourth league title in a row.

Things changed a lot this week for the Lyncs, who got a game-turning goal for the second consecutive game by junior midfielder Mikki Jansma - her first goals as a two-year regular.

Jansma took a pinpoint pass from NWC scoring champion Coryn Bajema and booted a straight-shot power goal in the eighth minute in the middle of four saves in the first 12 minutes by Friday goalkeeper Rhiana Franklin, who finished with eight saves.

"And none of them were trivial," said Fishaut.

Jansma came off a game in which she scored her first LC goal in the 14th minute against Meridian.

"I think everyone in school was more excited about Coryn's three goals in that game," said Jansma, who had the wind knocked out of her not long after her goal, but wasn't out for long. "I just felt ready to go."

Bajema, who was well-marked by aggressive defenders, then scored her 31st goal of the season off a pretty assist by sophomore midfielder Livi Vander Griend in the 34th minute. It was a big breakthrough for Bajema, who moments earlier had been frustrated on what looked like a header goal when Friday Harbor defender Larissa Nash darted in to deflect the ball.

"Larissa is the best defender I've ever coached (in three decades)," Fishaut said.

"I'm sure I'll see a lot more of that (great defense) at South Carolina," Bajema said with a wry smile, talking of the university to which she has verbally committed.

De Ruyter said the Lyncs' 11 wins are a school record - "I don't think we've ever been in double digits" - but the veteran coach feels the loser-out status of Saturday's game will keep his girls' focus on keeping their state dream alive.

Brisbane, whom De Ruyter credited with her third shutout, said she couldn't have been prouder of her defenders.

"When they play 'D' like that (Friday got six shots), and keep the ball out of my hands, I love it," said Brisbane, who received major support from defenders sophomores Shelby Brown and Karis Van Diest and seniors Joci Buys, Jenna Vanderpol and Meagan Van Berkum, not to mention consistently alert play at midfield.

"Shelby Brown was all over the place and won every ball," said De Ruyter, who also praised sophomore mid Courtney Hollander for setting up scoring opportunities, as did senior midfielders Jessa Vanderpol and Demi Luna.

Meanwhile, Jansma received plenty of "props" from her teammates.

"Mikki was huge," said De Ruyter, who saw his team take 19 shots. "She got us going for the second game in a row."

LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 2, FRIDAY HARBOR 0

Scoring: Goal: Mikki Jansma; assist: Coryn Bajema; time: 8; Goal: Bajema; assist: Levi Vander Griend; time: 34. Shots: Friday Harbor 6, Lynden Christian 19. Goalkeepers (saves): Friday Harbor: Rhianna Franklin (8); Lynden Christian: Louisa Brisbane (5).