PUYALLUP, WA -- Drew Wehmer's first half strike was enough for Washington Premier FC (WPFC) to advanced out of the elimination round of the WSYSA State Challenger Cup Tournament by becoming only the second team in the tourney to take points off Crossfire SC with a 1-0 win. This was the fourth time the two Player Development League (PDL) rival clubs have faced one another during the 09/10 season finishing the series 2-2.

Crossfire played well defensively for the rest of the first half to preventing Alex Scneller from opening the scoring. The striker turned his defender on the edge of the box and looked set to round the keeper as well, but the keeper got a hand to the ball and even won a goal-kick off the striker in the process.

Crossfire had finished a head of Premier in both the Fall and Winter seasons of PDL.

Crossfire opened the match well defensively keeping Alex Scneller from opening the scoring. The striker turned his defender on the edge of the box and looked set to round the keeper as well, but the keeper got a hand to the ball and even won a goal-kick off the striker in the process.

WPFC took the lead when Drew's 18th minute strike - his six of the 09/10 season - proved to be the winner as Premier eliminated their arch rivals from this year's state tournament. Premier advances to the quarter-finals on Sunday, March 28th V. MVP Rapids at Tahoma High School in Covington, WA.

However, offensively the Redmond outfit struggled to create much to concern Premier goalkeeper Tanner Premo in the first half on Saturday.

Crossfire tried to press. Crossing from left to right, but took too much time which allowed the Premier defense to clear.

Half-time Premier - 1, Crossfire SC '96 - Lombard - 0

Premier coach Abdella Hussein did not wait long in the second half to send on the big defensive guns, introducing Jaylon Bond and Ben Long in the 40th minute.

And those changes earned Premier the desired result as they were able to keep their clean sheet versus their arch rivals.

Wehmer's first half goal proved to be the only goal of the game, although WPFC really should have made things a lot more comfortable for themselves in the second half.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco's header was denied by a one-handed save by Crossfire keeper after Erik Wiseman had crossed the ball, while Alex Schneller also blazed a good chance over in the 52nd minute.

Crossfire made a few last minute runs, however, defensive Premier stood tall. The squad’s - defensive effort lead by -- Adrian, Alex, Grant, Jaylon, Luke, Ben, and Tanner -- was stellar again allowing only allowing five shots on goal the entire match.

Fulltime Premier - 1, Crossfire SC '96 - Lombard - 0