All-Region girls soccer: Nora Martin, Ridgefield

Call it clairvoyance when Nora Martin sensed before the season that the Ridgefield girls soccer team would be the ones hoisting another Class 2A state championship trophy months later.

Martin, a senior midfielder and captain, had plenty of reason to feel confident in her team.

After the Spudders won the program’s first state championship in 2023, an experienced group led by nine seniors returned this fall intent on defending their crown.

Martin’s prediction was proved right.

Ridgefield became Clark County’s first girls soccer program to win back-to-back state titles when the Spudders defeated 2A Greater St. Helens League foe Columbia River 1-0 in the state championship game last month in Tacoma.

The Spudders won their final 18 games of the season and allowed just five goals during that stretch.

Martin, who moved from center back to midfield in the back half of the season, was a key cog in the Spudders’ defense and a go-to leader on the field, according to coach Steven Evans. She also scored two goals during Ridgefield’s four state playoff games, during which the Spudders outscored opponents 12-0.

For her accomplishments, Martin is The Columbian’s All-Region girls soccer player of the year.

“She has a presence about her,” Evans said.

Though this honor is reserved for an individual, it could just as easily be shared among all of the Spudders’ seniors — Martin, Marlee Buffham, Baylee Bushnell, Alyssa Carney, Marseille Edwards, Tori Lasch, Annabelle Rogers, Brielle Suomi and Abigail Vance. The group, players and coaches agree, was a special one because of their combined experience and leadership.

Their bond, which began on the pitch when many played on the same Pacific Soccer Club team in sixth grade, made going to practice every day this fall all the more enjoyable.

“I’ve said it before — it’s our bond with all the seniors,” Martin said of the key to the Spudders’ success. “Especially being juniors, winning the state championship and just having the upperclassmen role and responsibility, like, our senior year, it was kind of easy to just roll into another great season.

“We kind of struggled as a group in the beginning of the season, just because we were so new and we lost a bunch of seniors last year. So, I think finding the little things to be happy about in practice was really huge, and making it enjoyable.”

The group entered high school for the fall 2021 season when Ridgefield placed fourth at state. Martin came into the program with a lot of confidence, but found playing time hard to come by as a freshman. During her time on the bench, she learned a valuable lesson.

“It was kind of an out of body experience,” Martin recalled. “You kind of gotta take yourself out and be like, you’re not the best here, so you gotta work on yourself.”

Still, Martin felt defeated by the experience and considered leaving the team after freshman year. But when a head coaching change paved the way for Evans to take over ahead of the 2022 season, his style was a breath of fresh air for players like Martin.

“Steven kind of made me find the love for the sport again, and just the girls, being with them, it’s like a familyhood down here,” Martin said.

Martin had a breakout sophomore campaign, earning All-State first team honors by Washington State Soccer Coaches Association, while the Spudders reached the 2A state quarterfinals.

“My confidence in myself has built up a lot, and also my outlook on others,” Martin said. “Because being in the position I was my freshman year, I realized that is also the position a lot of girls are in, when they’re underclassmen and even upperclassmen are in that position.”

And, one more takeaway that many players will never know: the satisfaction of winning consecutive state titles was well worth the arduous journey it took to get there.

“I’m just proud of the girls and going back-to-back is very hard, I think,” Martin said. “It’s really cool to do it twice in your high school career.”

Rest of the All-Region girls soccer team

Brynnlee Williams, Skyview: Junior goalkeeper averaged 0.08 goals against, posted 10 shutouts in 18 games and scored one goal. Earned 4A Greater St. Helens League Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Peyton Dukes, Columbia River: Back-to-back 2A GSHL Defensive MVP led defense that conceded just eight goals in 24 games. Senior center back tallied eight assists, four goals as the Rapids took second at 2A state tournament. Committed to Seattle Pacific.

Abigail Doyle, Camas: Senior outside back, an all-4A GSHL first team pick, was part of a back line that tallied 10 shutouts and helped Papermakers reach 4A state playoffs. Committed to Western Oregon.

Karsyn Ross, Kelso: Four-year impact player scored 29 goals in a variety of ways for the Hilanders. Senior 3A GSHL co-MVP also tallied six assists. Committed to Cal Poly Humboldt.

Shaylie Haij, King’s Way Christian: In 20 games, sophomore midfielder/forward posted 44 goals and 17 assists to earn Trico League co-MVP honors. Helped lead Knights to first state playoff appearance since 2018.

CJ Moore, Seton Catholic: Junior Trico League co-MVP tallied 23 goals and 21 assists, helping lead the Cougars to their first 1A state final four berth and third-place finish.

Teaghan Irvin, Mountain View: Junior forward earned 3A GSHL co-MVP honors after posting 28 goals, 10 assists, while helping Thunder win 3A GSHL title and reach 3A state playoffs. Committed to Washington State.

Dea Covarrubias, Skyview: Senior 4A GSHL Offensive POY scored 18 goals, added four assists for a Storm squad that won the 4A GSHL title and reached 4A state quarterfinals.

Tori Lasch, Ridgefield: Technically sound, speedy forward was always a threat with the ball. A 2A GSHL first-team selection, the senior posted a team-high 17 goals and 10 assists.

Marlee Buffham, Ridgefield: Playing opposite Lasch in the Spudders’ attack, the senior playmaker put pressure on defenses with 15 goals, 5 assists. Earned 2A GSHL first-team honors.

Alice Anderson, R.A. Long: Senior 2A GSHL Offensive MVP posted 20 goals, 22 assists for state-playoff qualifying Lumberjills. Committed to Seattle Pacific.