Sometimes capturing a tie on the soccer field is just as good as a triumphant victory.

This was especially true for the Issaquah Gunners women’s soccer team in their final regular season contest of the 2015 season against FC Tacoma. Issaquah and Tacoma battled to a 1-1 tie on July 10 at Issaquah High School in Issaquah. The Gunners clinched the Women’s Premier Soccer League Northwest Division championship with the tie.

Issaquah finished the regular season with an overall record of 8-0-2. The Gunners took a 1-0 lead when Joana Houplin recorded the first goal of the night in the 41st minute of play. Tacoma tied the contest at 1-1 on Jackie Corley’s goal in the 49th minute. The Gunners fended off a frantic offensive onslaught by Tacoma in the final 10 minutes of the game. Tacoma unleashed three shots on goal in the final 10 minutes but couldn’t find the back of the net. Tacoma pulled their goalie out of the box twice in the final five minutes of regulation in an all-out effort to capture the game-winning goal.

Gunners’ head coach Gareth Vaughan was proud of his defense for rising to the occasion with the division title on the line.

“The defense has been fantastic all season long. It wasn’t just today. The back four (defenders) and two defensive midfielders worked extremely hard. Our goalkeeper made some crucial saves and did what she needed to do,” Vaughan said. “We deserve this. It wasn’t pretty but at the end of the day we got the result we deserved and the result we wanted. We’re going to the playoffs.”

The Gunners will host the WPSL playoffs this weekend at Issaquah High School.

“Our goal is to go out and win it,” Vaughan said. “I think the group we have here right now is a nice blend of experience and youth. It is going to be a difficult weekend but I think we are more than capable of winning it.”

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@issaquahreporter.com