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Gritty Ridgefield soccer team claims district title

Spudders fend off Hockinson 3-1

By Micah Rice, Columbian Sports Editor
Published: November 7, 2014, 12:00am

RIDGEFIELD — Their hands on the district championship trophy, Ridgefield’s soccer players finally turned giddy.

Their shrieks, giggles and hollers were fitting for a team that just won the 2A District 4 soccer championship.

But that elation was drastically different from Ridgefield’s mood during its 3-1 win over Hockinson on Thursday.

Ridgefield was tenacious.

Ridgefield was gritty.

Ridgefield was intense.

Ridgefield’s toughness eventually overwhelmed a Hockinson team that had given the Spudders all they could handle in two matches this season, both narrowly won by Ridgefield.

Erin Seigel scored twice, including the first of a two-goal barrage early in Thursday’s match. Then the Spudders’ defense kept Hockinson from mounting much of a threat in the second half.

As a No. 1 seed, Ridgefield will host a first-round state playoff game next week. The Spudders (16-2-1) will face the No. 4 seed from District 2-3, which will be determined Saturday, and would also host a quarterfinal game.

As a No. 2 seed, Hockinson (14-4-1) must travel to the Tacoma area to face the No. 2 seed from District 2-3.

“They’re going to be a tough out for anybody,” Hockinson coach Zack Goldfinch said of Ridgefield. “Tonight, they had their grit for a full 80 minutes. … When we put a full game together, we can play with anybody. Tonight we didn’t do that. They wanted it more than we did.”

Ridgefield had Hockinson on its heels throughout the first 20 minutes.

Just three minutes in, Siegel put the Spudders ahead when she headed in Taryn Ries’ corner kick at the far post.

Nine minutes later, Kara Klaus doubled Ridgefield’s lead. She tapped home a rebound after Hockinson keeper Jenna Talarico deflected a shot.

Hockinson found its stride midway through the first half. The Hawks’ pressure paid off when Rylee Seekins blasted a free kick into the goal’s top corner from just outside the penalty area.

But a back line led by seniors Ashley Christensen and Courtney Zumstein snuffed out Hockinson’s threats from then on.

“It’s always hard to play a team three times in the same season,” Ridgefield coach Robby Trimbo said. “We have really strong senior leadership. They’re pushing each other so I don’t have to from the sideline.”

Siegel put the game away with 10 minutes to play. The sophomore intercepted a free kick and found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. She calmly hit a low shot into the net.

“I feel like we have a really good shot heading into state,” Siegel said. “It’s mostly just the seniors on this team encouraging us and picking us up.”

Mark Morris 2, Washougal 1 — Emily McCoy scored the game-winning goal with 17 minutes left in a loser-out district match at Ridgefield.

Six minutes earlier, McCoy assisted on Makyla Croco’s game-tying goal.

Washougal took a first-half lead on Heather Deulen’s goal. The Panthers finish the season 10-7-1 overall after finishing fourth in the 2A GSHL at 6-5.

Mark Morris (13-6) advances to face Black Hills on Saturday in a winner-to-state, loser-out match.

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