The Hazen soccer team beat Highline 4-3 Thursday night to win the Seamount championship and earn the league’s top seed heading into the playoffs.

“Those guys were so excited last night,” said Hazen coach Ken Matthews. “The bus ride back was really fun to watch. There’s nothing better than watching your guys be happy.”

Hazen (7-5-4) got out to a 3-0 lead as the Pirates, out of playoff contention, played a physical game with nothing to lose. Highline scored twice before the half to bring Hazen’s lead to 3-2. Then the Pirates brought the game to a tie at the 69-minute mark.

With less than a minute in the game, junior forward Sam Bunnell found Jalen Conway for the game-winning goal. Bunnell scored two earlier goals and led the Seamount with 11 on the season. He also had seven assists for the year.

Hazen finished with a league record of 7-2-2 and 10 playoff points, edging both Tyee and Kennedy Catholic with 9.5 points each. Seamount teams earn varying point totals if they beat or draw a 3A or 2A team.

“The irony is that for three seasons now I’ve complained about the points system,” Matthews said. “Now I’m the biggest fan of it.”

The top seed into sub-district play is key because it means Hazen will move on to districts whether they win or lose in the sub-district game, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Harry Lang Stadium. If the Highlanders win Wednesday, they will play a district game May 12 at 1 p.m. at Highline. If they lose Wednesday, they play at 11 a.m. at Highline. Both games are winner-to-state, loser-out.

The Highlanders last went to state in 2007, when they won the 3A state championship. The team also appeared at state in 2005.

Kennedy Catholic plays the SPSL No. 4 seed at 7:30 p.m. at Highline. Foster plays the SPSL 2A No. 5 seed at 7:30 p.m. at Foster. Evergreen plays the Olympic No. 4 seed at 5:30 p.m. at Foster. Lindbergh plays the SPSL 2A No. 4 seed at 4:30 p.m. at Harry Lang. All sub-district games are May 9.