Highline Defeats Columbia Basin 1-0 on Fakhri's Overtime Goal for 5th NWAC Title

TUKWILA, Wash. — The Highline men's soccer team won the 2025 NWAC Men's Soccer Championship with a 1-0 victory over Columbia Basin in the final on Sunday at Starfire Stadium.

The match went over 100 minutes without a goal scorer as the teams remained tied through regulations. In extra time in the first overtime, Highline's Frank Meza drew a foul in the box after a free kick by the Thunderbirds to earn a penalty kick. The Thunderbirds sent out Idin Fakhri who made no mistake in scoring on the PK to send Highline to the title with the golden goal.

Fakhri was named the Tournament MVP for his efforts. Fakhri was a key factor for the Thunderbirds in the tournament as he scored two goals in the two wins this weekend including the championship clincher.

The title is the fifth all-time for the Highline men's soccer program and first for head coach Skyler Roehr who completed just his second year as head coach for the program. The Thunderbirds last won in 2021 after falling in the finals in 2023.

Highline keeper Kyle Goodrow had another outstanding game in net for the Thunderbirds, registering four saves while making many crucial plays against Columbia Basin. The Hawks outshot Highline 13-6 for the match, but Goodrow's play was key to the Thunderbirds' success.

The match began with both Highline and Columbia Basin testing each other's defenses. Early in the first half, Columbia Basin's Alex Martinez had a shot saved by Goodrow in the 9th minute. The Thunderbirds responded with a shot by Jake Mackenzie at the 12th minute, which was also saved by CBC's Caleb Coronel. Despite a series of fouls from both teams, neither side managed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. The half ended in a 0-0 deadlock, with the Hawks' Jorge Perez sending a shot high in the 44th minute.

The second half commenced with both Highline and Columbia Basin showing strong defensive efforts. Highline's Harrison Emert attempted an early shot at the 49th minute, but it went wide left. Columbia Basin's Martinez responded with a wide right shot at the 54th minute, followed by a corner kick. Goodrow made crucial saves, including one against Jayson Castillo in the 72nd minute and another against David Ochoa at the 80th minute. Despite numerous attempts, neither team managed to score, concluding the match in a scoreless draw.

The overtime period between the Thunderbirds and the Hawks began with both teams eager to break the deadlock. Columbia Basin applied early pressure with two corner kicks by Castillo in the 91st minute, but Highline's defense stood firm. At the 93rd minute, Uriel Villegas tested Columbia Basin's goalkeeper Coronel, who made a crucial save. The match intensity peaked in the 100th minute when Fakhri scored the decisive penalty kick goal for Highline, securing a 1-0 victory.

Columbia Basin's defensive unit was anchored by goalkeeper Coronel, who played the entire 100 minutes and recorded two saves, conceding just one goal. In the attack, Ochoa and Castillo were active, each taking three shots with two on target, but neither managed to find the back of the net. The Hawks finish their outstanding season with a 16-3-1 record and a runner-up finish.