ISSAQUAH — It took longer than Liberty coach Tami Nguyen preferred, but all the offensive pressure the Patriots applied early produced a pair of second-half goals to lift Liberty to a 2-0 win over Shorecrest Wednesday night in a first-round 3A state tournament match.

"I knew once that first one went in we could relax a little bit," said Ngygen, in her first year directing the Patriots' girls soccer team. "It was a matter of us being patient, but also showing urgency."

Fifth-ranked Liberty (13-3-1), the state runner-up a year ago, advances to the quarterfinals and plays No. 10 Bonney Lake at noon Saturday at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner. Shorecrest finished 13-5-3.

Junior Kali Youngdahl headed in a corner kick by Kiana Hafferty in the 59th minute, and a crossing pass from Youngdahl set up Jacquelyn Anderson for an insurance goal in the 75th.

The Patriots were relieved to get a ball past Shorecrest goalkeeper Frida Swensen. Swensen recorded nine saves while Liberty keeper Amy Ellenberg did not have to make one.

Youngdahl was happy to contribute to Liberty's offensive breakthrough against Swensen.

"Actually, it was a surprise to me," she said. "Usually the ball doesn't come to where I am. I'm just there to maybe block the goalie's view. But I just kind of closed my eyes and hit the ball, and I was glad it went in."

Nguyen, a former University of Washington player, was similarly glad for a score.

"Obviously we had a few chances early that didn't go," she said. "But we stayed consistent, kept getting after it."

Shorecrest coach Mindy Dalziel conceded her team could not match Liberty's offensive tenacity.

"They kept us under pressure and kept up their attack to the very bitter end," she said. We couldn't get into our attack at all. The better team won."