WOODLAND – The La Center boys soccer team came to Woodland High School Saturday in search of a district title.
The Wildcats left with a lesson.
“Teams who are still playing at this point in the season are here for a reason,” La Center coach Reece Scragg said. “And teams will be tougher and tougher from here out, so we need to be prepared to meet that challenge.”
The Wildcats came out a bit flat-footed on Saturday against Toledo-Winlock. That allowed United to strike for an early goal which they made stand up for a 1-0 victory in the 1A district championship match.
La Center clinched a state berth with its win Thursday over Hoquiam. The Wildcats will face the No. 2 team from District 7 in the first round of the state tournament Tuesday or Wednesday at Woodland.
“United came out hard, which is what we expected,” Scragg said. “We just didn’t match that. It took us about 50 minutes to get going.”
La Center (13-4-1) tied and won its two regular-season matches with Toledo-Winlock (14-3-1) this season, but United has won six consecutive matches since a 2-1 loss to La Center.
In the 12th minute, Toledo-Winlock got a deep push as Adair Garibay drew out La Center goalkeeper Sergio Sandoval. Garibay crossed the ball in front of the goal face, when Jonathan VanVleck headed it in for the goal.
La Center kept up the pressure in the second half, especially late with several serious challenges, but couldn’t break through for a goal.
“I felt like we had a couple of excellent chances to get that equalizer, even go up 2-1,” Scragg said. “But we just couldn’t get that final shot.”
TOLEDO-WINLOCK 1, LA CENTER 0
La Center
Goalkeeper saves – Sergio Sandoval 4.
Toledo-Winlock
Goal (assist) – Jonathan VanVleck (Adair Garibay). Goalkeeper saves – Nolan Patching 5.
Halftime – Toledo-Winlock 1-0.
