It took more than a half of pressure for the Napavine girls soccer team to break through, but the Tigers did just that, cashing in once to beat 1B Evergreen Lutheran 1-0.
“They’re athletic, that Evergreen team is,” assistant coach Chris Tarabochia said. “It was a good non-league pick-up game for us, because if we’re fortunate enough to make it to regionals or State, they’re a possible opponent.”
The decisive strike came from sophomore Grace Pancake at the end of a long scrum in front of the Evergreen Lutheran net in the 58th minute. Starting with a saved shot from the center of the penalty area, the Tigers got multiple whacks at it before it finally fell to Pancake, who slotted it into an open net.
Despite that being the only goal of the evening, it wasn’t for lack of trying by Napavine, which controlled possession for most of the match.
“We did a good job of attacking on their half of the field for most of the game,” Tarabochia said. “And then when they had some counterattacking opportunities our defense was great about saving the day just in time.”
Freshman goalkeeper Taylen Evander was equal to all six shots the Eagles put on frame. For its part, Napavine snapped off six shots on target of its own, though Pancake’s that went in ended up being the difference.
Napavine (2-0) will head to Onalaska on Wednesday.
