Mythical barrier booted in 2A GSHL girls soccer

When Ridgefield made the Class 2A girls soccer state semifinals in 2014, it was the first 2A team from Southwest Washington to make the final four.

Five years later, three teams enter the 2A State Tournament semifinals. On Friday, Ridgefield, Hockinson and Columbia River will carry the torch for the 2A Greater St. Helens League.

“As far as I knew, there was this mythical barrier trying to get through the quarterfinal round of state,” Ridgefield coach Robby Trimbo said. “A handful of years later … you have three 2A programs make it all the way through. In that perspective I think it’s pretty crazy.”

It’s another sign that soccer in the area is on the rise. Six different players in the 2A GSHL have committed or signed with NCAA Division I and Division II programs. Another handful are expected to do so in the coming months.

Once you include to the 3A and 4A GSHL, it’s clear: this is the breeding ground of elite soccer players.

“I think Southwest Washington has fallen in love with soccer,” Columbia River coach Filly Afenegus said. “You’re seeing it at early ages, the number of kids playing soccer. In addition, coaching is only getting better in this area. All the clubs are developing and that’s a recipe for why we’re producing a lot of elite players.”

Fifteen years ago, there were few options in the way of club soccer in Vancouver. Now, there’s an arms race, of sorts, as players have an abundance of coaches to choose from and opportunities to play against other future collegiate players in the area.

That has translated into the high school game as well, as Hockinson and Ridgefield have tried to keep pace with Columbia River, who has won three state titles and been to six state semifinals in the past decade between the 2A and 3A levels. Camas, Union, Prairie, Mountain View and King’s Way Christian have also made historic runs in the past few years.

“I think we’re in a great atmosphere,” said Hockinson senior Brooke Grosz, a Western Washington signee. “Whether you’re super competitive, or just out to play soccer, we’re all pushing each other to be better players. Since we’ve all been brought up in that environment, we’ve been pushed harder than a lot of other places.”

All the growth culminates Friday at Shoreline Stadium, when Ridgefield (17-4) and Hockinson (15-6-1) play at 6 p.m., followed by Columbia River’s match with Selah (19-1) at 8 p.m.

“It’s going to be really intense,” said Columbia River (19-1) junior Yaneisy Rodriguez, who recently decommitted from Nevada and is now in discussion with other programs.

Hockinson and Ridgefield will meet for the third time this season. Ridgefield won 4-0 and 2-0 in the first two meetings.

“There’s no secrets,” said Ridgefield senior Annika Farley, a University of Portland commit. “Everyone knows everyone and what we play like. It’s going to be interesting.”

Added fellow senior and Concordia signee Brooke Weese: “It makes it a lot more intense, but more exciting also.”

A Columbia River victory over Selah on Friday would also set up an all-2A GSHL final, scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday. It would be a fourth meeting between the Chieftains and either Ridgefield or Hockinson this season.

The Chieftains ran the league table undefeated, a more mighty feat now in perspective. Columbia River fell short of a fourth straight district title, though, in a 2-1 defeat to the Spudders that altered both teams’ courses.

For the Chieftains, it was a time to refocus. They did so in a hurry, topping Fife 1-0 and Liberty 4-1 to qualify for the semifinals.

“I think that’s the best thing that could have happened to us,” said Rodriguez, who desires to see Ridgefield in the championship to avenge the defeat. “It motivated us, and propelled us.”

For the Spudders, it provided a launching pad. They rolled past Sequim 4-0 and Port Angeles 5-1.

“It was astronomical for us,” Trimbo said. “We always knew we were right there, it was just a matter of getting the result. Until you get that result, you’re just going to bang your head against the wall. … The momentum just started to tip forward at that point.”

Hockinson’s run was more of a surprise. The Hawks finished third in league and districts before rattling off a 1-0 victory over Cedarcrest and a 3-0 win over White River to qualify for the program’s first-ever state semifinal. The Hawks, who went 0-5 against River and Ridgefield this season, have found another gear in the past month.

“It’s going to be a loud and raucous environment,” Hockinson coach Joe Chicks said. “As much as we respect each other, we view each other as rivals so there’s going to be a little added chip on our shoulders.”

That is until Saturday night, when everyone can again sit down and recount the unparalleled run of a single league and what that means for the future of Southwest Washington soccer.

Hockinson

Record: 15-6-1; 2A GSHL: 8-4

Best state finish: Quarterfinals in 2012, ’14

Goals per game: 2.6; Goals against: 1.0

Ridgefield

Record: 17-4; 2A GSHL: 8-4

Best state finish: Runner-up in 2015

Goals per game: 3.8; Goals against: 0.7

Columbia River

Record: 19-1; 2A GSHL: 12-0

Best state finish: Champions in 2009, ’12, ’16

Goals per game: 4.1; Goals against: 0.5

Selah

Record: 19-1; CWAC: 9-0

Best state finish: Fourth in 2016

Goals per game: 5.4; Goals against: 0.5