The Centralia girls soccer team took a scoreless game deep into the second half, but 3A River Ridge nicked the only goal of the match to come out ahead 1-0.
“It was our first 80-minute game as a unit, still trying to get some girls in sync from the summer,” first-year head coach Noel Vasquez said. “We had a good group of girls working together this summer, and then we added a couple more bodies to the varsity roster at the beginning of the season. Getting everybody in sync is going to take some time.”
The Hawks took the lead on a set piece in the 65th minute, when Centralia keeper Lilliana Babka saved their initial shot but couldn’t keep out an attempt off the rebound.
The Tigers finished the match out-shooting their hosts, finishing with four attempts on targets and three corners, but couldn’t put any away.
“Unfortunately, we were just unable to finish,” Vasquez said. “It’s a good sign that we were getting to that end, and now it’s the final piece of figuring how to get it in the back of the net.”
Junior Anahi Corona led the attack for Centralia, according to Vasquez, and was part of a strong effort up the center of the pitch trying to control play.
“Olivia Gruginksi had a really good game for us in the middle,” Vasquez added. “She distributed the ball well.”
Centralia (0-1) will welcome 1A Elma to Tigers Stadium for its home opener on Thursday.
