Thursday's Girls Soccer: Beavers Blank Warriors in Scatter Creek Derby

ROCHESTER – Tenino traveled over the freeway and across Scatter Creek to face their rivals here on Thursday. For their troubles, they earned a 2-0 victory over the Warriors in a non-league girls soccer kerfuffle.

The Beavers scored both goals in the first half and then put the game on ice with solid defensive play to preserve the shutout, as well as their unblemished record thus far this season.

“I felt like we did well, especially in the first half just with moving the ball and making chances and just continuing to work on the things that we want to,” said Tenino coach Kevin Schultz. “We want to control the passing. We got behind a couple of times and had some nice cut back opportunities.”

Iris Campensino scored the first goal for the Beavers in the 8th minute during a chaotic scrum in the heart of the keeper box. Rochester goalkeeper Madison Bates was able to stop at least two Tenino shots in the tornado of kicks but wound up sideways on the turf as Campensino’s final kick glanced off a defender and into the net.

Rochester coach Robert McFadden saw the sequence of events from a different perspective.

“We had a couple of lapses that cost us couple of goals but the first goal wasn’t really a lapse, it was a penalty that should have been called. I told the the ref what happened and he said, ‘Ya, it was a 50/50,’” said McFadden. “It was a scrum and the keeper has a right to that ball and they do not have a right to kick that ball out of the keeper’s hand even if it is not 100 percent under control. If she’s got a hand on that ball and she gets hit it’s a foul and it should have been called. So, we lost 1-0.”

Either way, McFadden was pleased with the goaltender play of Bates, who had seven saves on the night.

“She’s been spectacular. She’s not the tallest person and she’s had so many fists over the bar and really hitting the high shots,” said McFadden. “She’s been great. She’s tough and fearless.”

In the 18th minute the Beavers added to their lead with a goal by Courtney Dodge off a cutback cross pass from Rhian Mathis. With Tenino’s premier offensive weapon, Brieanna Dell, hobbled with a calf and ankle injury, Schultz noted that it was essential for the Beavers to find a replacement offensive threat. He says Dodge has been filling the role masterfully so far.

“Courtney Dodge scored a goal for the third straight game so she’s been playing the center forward for us with Brie (Dell) out...and that’s what we expect from her as a senior,” said Schultz. “We’ve just had a lot of girls stepping up.”

Dell did play for about 12 minutes on Thursday and got off one shot on goal from point blank but it was corralled by Bates in the box.

“We’re being a little cautious just because we know we need her, especially next Monday with opening up league play,” said Schultz of his decision to use Dell sparingly in the Scatter Creek Derby. “She says she’s feeling better.”

In the second half Tenino’s defense took over and prevented any direct shots on goal during live play. The closest the Warriors came to scoring was on a free kick in the 48th minute by Georgia Masseth that clanged off the top cross bar. Due to that stingy effort by her teammates, goalkeeper Maria Collins finished the night with just two official saves, but a shutout nonetheless.

“Our two centerbacks Kaylee Schow and Charlie Letts have been solid all season. They’ve played every minute of every game. Charlie is even a little sick and she just battles through it. They’re just so solid. Just rocks for us back there,” said Schultz. “Also Alivia Hunter, outside back, she does a really good job as well. And I think our goalkeeper Maria Collins does a really good job of commanding and directing traffic.”

Although the final score was not what the Warriors were hoping for from the outset, McFadden says he saw plenty to be encouraged about as his team rounds the corner into 2A Evergreen Conference play.

“They are taking steps constantly, game after game, getting better and better. This is one of the best games they’ve played,” said McFadden. “The defense has been very strong. I’ve got a very good back four, they ended up with a couple of runners through on a cross, but hey, it happens. All in all they’ve really come a long way from where we’ve started.”

Rochester (0-6) will host Black Hills on Tuesday. Tenino (6-0) will play at Aberdeen on Saturday in a non-league affair and then will host Elma for 1A Evergreen League play on Monday.

Centralia Tops Hoquiam

The Tigers earned their first win of the season at Tiger Stadium on Thursday, topping Hoquiam 2-1 in a non-league girls soccer match.

Centralia’s Kupria Lapierre scored in the 38th minute for a 1-0 lead at halftime.

The Tigers increased the lead to 2-0 in the 61st minute on a goal by Aaliyah Corona and assisted by Alayna Miller. Hoquiam ended the shutout in the 75th minute with a goal from Sadie Carlyle. Centralia’s defense was able to hold strong down the stretch to preserve the win.

Centralia peppered Hoquiam with 17 shots on Thursday.

“We played well tonight, passed the ball really well. I was really happy with the attacking portion of our team, we just gave up a pass we shouldn’t have and they scored a goal,” Centralia coach Henry Gallanger said. “Overall I was happy. We’ve been playing some pretty tough games.”

Centralia (1-4) hosts Aberdeen on Tuesday in the Evergreen 2A Conference opener.