Like true Pirates, the Vashon boys soccer team went down scrapping as their season came to an end on Wednesday, May 12.

The Meridian Trojans squeaked by the Pirates 2-1 to win a state berth in the loser-out game on Whatcom Community College’s Orca Field.

The Trojans struck first with a looping shot from about 30 yards that just cleared goalkeeper Robert McGinnis’ fingertips early in the first half.

The Vashon team settled down to shut out Meridian the rest of the half.

After an impassioned halftime talk by coach Paul Beytebiere, the Pirates were fired up for the second half. In the third minute of the half, Will O’Neil took a feed from Elias Weston and beat the Trojan keeper to tie the score. The goal was O’Neil’s 12th in the final five games of the season.

Meridian struck again with about 10 minutes left on the clock. A Trojan forward won a foot race with a Pirate defender to put the ball just inside the right post. The Pirates mounted a furious attack but ran out of time.

Although their season is over, the Pirates will not hang up their cleats until June 5, when many Vashon soccer grads return for the annual alumni game. The game is at 1 p.m. in the Vashon stadium.

The final season wrap-up and awards banquet is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, June 6.

Pirates named to the All-Nisqually League soccer team were:

• Co-offensive player of the year: Will O’Neil

• First team: Elias Weston, Michael Butz

• Second team: Jesse Turner, Jesse Hazzard, Nick Fox-Edele

• Honorable mention: Dominik Stemer, Tylor Heit