Gonia nets game-winner in Tenino close victory

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After getting pummeled by Montesano and Elma, the Beavers got back on the right track with a 2-1 victory over the Grizzlies on Thursday night at Olympic Stadium in 1A Evergreen league action.

Tenino (5-4-1, 1-2 Evergreen) had 20 shots on the night and 18 of them were stopped by Hoquiam goalie Emily Brodhead. Beavers head coach Dave Montgomery bluntly stated it was “The greatest goalkeeper performance I’ve ever seen at the high school level.”

Still, they got out in front early in the fourth minute on a Callie Mickelson goal that was assisted by Chloe Grayless. The Grizzlies found the equalizer in the 47th minute, then Tenino’s eighth grader Kylie Gonia snared a signature moment.

Off a corner kick by Kyla Watson, Gonia was in the right place at the right time in a scrum to tap the ball behind the net for the game-winner in the 52nd minute.

“Our bench brought a ton of energy,” Montgomery said. “To be able to hang our hat on a good win, it felt good to get this one.”

Tenino will face Rochester next week in the first contest as league foes in a while.