A showdown between two evenly matched rival high school soccer squads ended in a stalemate.

The Skyline Spartans and Issaquah Eagles battled to a 0-0 draw despite 80 minutes of regulation and two five-minute overtime sessions in front of a sizable crowd on March 24 at Gary Moore Stadium in Issaquah. Through five games Skyline possesses an overall record of 2-1-2 while Issaquah has a record of 1-2-2.

The Spartans nearly scored the game-winning goal with less than two minutes left in the second overtime session. A line drive shot caromed off the left post and back into the field of play. Skyline head coach Don Braman thought the shot attempt would end the game once he saw the ball in the air.

“Dang it if we didn’t get one off the post at the end. I thought it was going to bounce across and into the side net on the other side. Kendrick (Lu) had a nice look on it,” Braman said.

In the final two minutes of regulation, Skyline midfielder Tanner Strawn had two solid shots on goal that were blocked by Issaquah goalie Cameron Oen which kept the game scoreless. Oen said both teams had strong performances in the tie ballgame.

“This game is a true testament to both sides of how soccer in this area is played with desire and passion. Both sides played as hard as they could all the way to the last minute. Although it was 0-0, I couldn’t be happier,” Oen said.

Braman said having the game conclude in a draw was unfortunate.

“I really thought we created opportunities. I wasn’t disappointed. I thought we were really organized in the back (defense). They (Issaquah) really didn’t get clean looks. It was kind of your typical Skyline/Issaquah slugfest,” Braman said.

Issaquah head coach Kyle Tatro said not suffering a defeat against Skyline was huge for his team. The Eagles lost to Bothell 3-2 on March 21.

“Losing on Tuesday (Bothell) put us behind in the points. Picking up a point (tie) is better than none at all,” Tatro said.

Tatro admitted watching Skyline’s line drive shot on goal with less than two minutes remaining in the final overtime session collide with the upper left post was a relief.

“If that would had gone in, it would had been devastating,” Tatro said.