ABERDEEN - Lexi McKinnon and company made sure the Meridian girls' soccer team got past the first round of state this time.

McKinnon played a part in all four goals as the Trojans defeated Elma 4-0 on Wednesday, Nov. 7, in a Class 1A State Tournament game.

The win sends Meridian (12-7-3) to the state quarterfinals where it will play King's.

Meridian lost in a shootout in the first round of state last year.

"Anytime you win at state, it's good," said third-year Meridian coach Andrea Ames in a phone interview. "To win 4-0 and we got every single player on our roster in the game ... that's pretty cool."

Meridian and Elma were locked in a scoreless tie until Taylor Lunde scored on an assist from McKinnon in the 34th minute. The same two hooked up for the game's second goal, this time McKinnon, who scored on an assist from Lunde in the 45th minute.

"The first two goals were gorgeous," Ames said. "They were both really nice."

The Trojans took a 3-0 lead two minutes later when Anna Pimento scored on an assist by McKinnon for a 3-0 lead.

"(Pimento) made sure she crashed the goal hard and it paid off for her," Ames said.

McKinnon scored her second goal of the game when she fired a shot from 25 yards out into the net for a 4-0 lead in the 53rd minute.

Ames credited McKinnon with a good game, but also said it's nothing new for the sophomore forward.

"She plays great every week," Ames said. "She's creating a lot of opportunities."

Abbi Rautenberg started in goal for Meridian and didn't let in any shots. Teammate Millie Damson came in at goalie to finish the game.

Overall, Ames thought it was a good start to the state tournament.

"One of the things that made us really dangerous is we spread our attack really well," Ames said. "We had enough other people playing so well today. They were just on all at the same time. It was really fun to watch."

Meridian will play King's for the second time in two weeks. The Trojans lost to King's 2-0 in a the Class 2A Northwest District game.

"We're playing a lot better now than we did in that game," Ames said.

MERIDIAN 4, ELMA 0

Scoring: Goal: Taylor Lunde (Meridian), assist: Lexi McKinnon, time: 34:00; Goal: Lexi McKinnon (Meridian), assist: Taylor Lunde, time: 45:00; Goal: Anna Pimento (Meridian), assist: Lexi McKinnon, time: 47:00; Goal: Lexi McKinnon (Meridian), assist: Janessa Murphy, time: 53:00. Shots on goal: Meridian 18, Elma 5. Goalies (saves): Meridian: Abbi Rautenberg/Millie Damson; Elma: Alyssa Sutherby/Maci Shumate.