A pair of second-half goals made all the difference for the Tenino girls soccer team on Tuesday, when the Beavers defeated Rochester 2-0 on the road for their third consecutive victory.
“We always talk about league games being tough,” Tenino co-head coach Trevor Fetbrandt said. “To add on top of the league game, going into a rivalry game, we knew it was gonna be a big challenge.”
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half, but Fetbrandt was confident with what he saw in the first 40, and he made sure to let his team know that during the break.
“They were bringing the intensity,” Fetbrandt said. “We just needed to pick each other up to keep that energy going.”
Fetbrandt and Dave Montgomery, Tenino’s other co-head coach, noticed something that Rocehster was doing that they could take advantage of.
They relayed it to their team, and moments later in the 48th minute, Callie Mickelson opened the scoring.
Both Fetbrandt and Montgomery didn’t get specific on what they picked up on, but they were both proud that the Beavers were able to react and adjust accordingly to get on the board.
Later in the second half, Kyla Watson gave the Beavers some insurance with a goal of her own.
Rochester’s closest chance came on a free kick, but Tenino keeper Gracie Sweet was able to bat it into the crossbar before covering the loose ball. That was one of her four saves in her third straight shutout.
“She’s such a complete keeper,” Montgomery said. “She’s super athletic, can fly around and can make some saves that some other keepers in our league aren’t able to.”
Fetbrandt commended his defense, specifically Tamara Snodderly, who he referred to as “an absolute menace on the back line.”
Every week she shows up and applies (the adjustments),” Fetbrandt said. “She looks like the best defender on the field every time we play.”
Up next for the Beavers is a rematch against Montesano next Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Tenino lost the first meeting 4-0 on Sept. 25, but it was a matchup that both coaches said was much closer than the score indicated.
“We are fired up for that one,” Fetbrandt said.
