Both of Centralia College’s soccer teams came away with victories over Pierce College on Wednesday, as the women’s team won 3-1 and the men’s team won 2-1 at Bob Peters Field.
The women took the lead in the 37th minute on a goal from Izabell Rushing, and Maylania Mikaele added a second just before the halftime whistle. Mikaele also added another 12 minutes into the second half, and Aniya Gonzalez-Padilla, Kate Wisnewski, and Alicia Jenkins all logged an assist.
“It’s good to see our offense is coming along and putting the ball in the net,” Centralia College women’s coach Clarence Karteh said. “It’s good to see the players creating chances and finishing their chances.”
The Raiders were able to get on the board in the 81st minute of the game, but it was just one of two shots that they were able to get off.
“Great game from the players, top to bottom,” We needed a win tonight, so it’s good to come out and win.”
The win keeps the Trailblazers (5-2-2, 4-2-2 NWAC) tied with Clark for third in the West Region with six league games to play, two points behind second-place Highline and five behind league-leading Tacoma.
Whoever holds on to that third spot will get the region’s final playoff berth.
“Our ultimate goal is to make the postseason,” Karteh said. “The players are starting to understand that ,and they’re starting to execute on the plan that we want to achieve this season.”
Clark and CC will eventually meet again in Centralia on Oct. 18, but before then, the Trailblazers will make trips to face Lower Columbia on Saturday and Highline next Wednesday, Oct. 15.
The outcome of the men’s game that followed was in question for much longer.
A red card put the Trailblazers down to 10 men just 27 minutes into the match, but they were still able to take the lead right out of halftime thanks to a goal from Fernando Lopez.
The Raiders tied the game in the 66th minute, and a draw seemed more and more likely, but Damian Hernandez was able to give CC the lead in the 85th minute.
“That was a good win,” Centralia College men’s coach Noel Vazquez said. “After they tied us, we worried we would get pinned down, but we stuck to the counter game and Damian finished a great play.”
Mario Silva Gutierrez got the assist on Hernandez’s goal, but the play began with Hernandez’s brother, Carlos Angel Hernandez, who got an assist on Lopez’s goal.
The win snaps CC’s seven-game losing streak and gives the Trailblazers their second NWAC win of the season.
The men’s team (2-11, 2-7 NWAC) will head north to face South Puget Sound on Saturday.
Volleyball picks up a win at Pierce
The soccer teams weren’t the only CC teams to have success against Pierce on Wednesday, though the volleyball team’s win came up north.
The Trailblazers swept the Raiders 25-11, 25-16, 25-16 on the road to pick up their fourth win in a row.
Meleseini Hutchings led the team in kills with 14 and also added seven digs, while Paige Miller added 12 kills and Jada Whitmore tallied 10. Cadence Gumanas led the defensive effort with 14 digs, while setter Avery Starr logged 33 assists and nine digs of her own.
Not only has CC now won four in a row, but it has also won six of seven and sits atop the NWAC West Region, a half-game up on Lower Columbia.
The Trailblazers (16-7, 5-1 NWAC) will be back home next Wednesday, Oct. 15, to host Green River.
