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TENINO — For Christopher Van Clifford, summer tournaments have never lined up well with schedules.
The Onalaska High School girls soccer program has a high number of multi-sport athletes that have other athletic commitments and family commitments.
“We had a huge class of freshman and eighth graders,” Van Clifford said. “Half of the team are brand new.”
Numbers were plenty for the Loggers on day one of the seventh annual Battle on the Blacktop that went for three days, starting in the morning on Friday and ending with the championship game between Napavine and W.F. West.
The lone victory of the weekend for Onalaska came on Friday, a 2-0 victory over C2BL rivals Adna.
“Considering how little time we had together, I thought they played great,” Van Clifford said. “Had anywhere from 12 to 16 (at practice). It has been nice.”
Off another appearance in the Class 2B state tournament, the Loggers will be viewed as one of the favorites again bolstered by the return of area-leading goal scorer Kaiyah Sandridge and nearly everyone on the backline.
Getting to state will be a grinder with District 4 only having three spots for the 2025-26 athletic year.
“We’re in pretty good shape,” Van Clifford said. “We got a few seniors this year that will be keep everything glued together.”
Friday, Saturday recaps
W.F. West and Napavine ended on top of both groups with a combined two goals allowed in the first two days. The Bearcats beat Rochester and Adna by 3-0 verdicts and bulldozed Onalaska 6-0. The Tigers were victorious in their first and third games 4-0 and won 2-1 in their second and fourth contests.
Host Tenino won 2-0 and 5-1 on Friday, beat Shelton 3-0 before losing to Napavine that determined the Group B winner. Adna, Onalaska and Rochester each won once.
Adna newcomers getting 101 lesson on buy-in
The departures of Lydia Tobin and Lilly Wellander – two of the most prolific goal scorers for the Pirates in 2024 – have left a decent hole for a team that brings everyone else back. They are hoping three transfers will fill in nicely.
Rhylee Beebe, Madi Otten and Mavyn Shannon all transferred from W.F. West to Adna for the upcoming season.
Beebe was a day one starter for the Bearcats and Shannon was one of the better junior varsity players.
Head coach Patrick Richardson has been happy with the additions so far.
“Anyone that has stepped into this program, they’re willing to do what we ask,” Richardson said. “Having kids that want to be there and make something of the group… they all understand we’re here for the good of the group.”
Along with Napavine, Toledo and the aforementioned Loggers, the top of the C2BL didn’t lose much from 2024. Richardson understands the season will be a dogfight.
“You can’t go and get one back down the road,” he said.
Rochester experimenting with various backline combos
One of the most surprising end of season runs was the Warriors late season push to the Class 1A District 4 tournament. They came one win away from state and head coach Matt Ashton believes there is plenty of momentum heading into this year.
“I hope that carries into this year that they know how to get there,” Ashton said.
Gone is one of the best defenders in the Evergreen League in Kailyn Black plus two other defenders that graduated. In each game of the tournament, Ashton mixed in different rotations and hopes to find one that gels.
“I am very impressed with what I’ve seen so far,” he said. “We’re trending in the right direction. I think the unity is better this year.”
