NAPAVINE — Just over 11 months ago, a wacky goal was the only thing that separated Napavine and Toledo in the 2B District 4 Championship game.
The two teams met for the first time since that meeting on Monday in Napavine, and though both squads had their chances, neither could find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw.
“It was a great game,” Napavine coach John Bates said. “I’m proud of the girls for the way they played.”
The Tigers (5-3-2, 2-0-1 C2BL) and Riverhawks (6-3-2, 3-0-1 C2BL) only combined for seven official shots on goal, but there were plenty of moments where a breakthrough seemed imminent.
In the 24th minute, Napavine’s Maya Kunkel sent a throw-in from near the corner flag into the box, where Hayden Kaut sent a header just wide of the post.
The Tigers didn’t take a single corner kick all night, but Kunkel had several similar throw-ins that put the ball directly into the box, which led to a few scrambles that Toledo was ultimately able to clear.
“They’re dangerous every time they have a throw-in,” Toledo coach Horst Malunat said. “And, of course, when we’d kick it out, it’d give them another,” he added with a chuckle.
In the other box, the Riverhawks earned three corner kicks and took five shots on goal, but all five were saved by Napavine’s Taylen Evander.
“There were a couple times where we just didn’t get the right ball in,” Malunat said. “I was hoping we’d finish one at the end, but we didn’t quite get that last shot.”
Toledo’s Ivana Cabrera finished with two saves in net, including one on a point-blank chance in the matches’ final minutes that kept the game scoreless.
After the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of regulation, both teams returned to their benches, and momentarily seemed to prepare for extra time.
Once the league’s standard operating procedures were brought out, though, the game was called final.
The draw leaves Napavine and Toledo as two of the three remaining unbeaten teams in C2BL play, along with Onalaska.
Both the Riverhawks and Tigers have to play the Loggers later this season, which should provide some more clarity at the top of the league standings.
In the meantime, though, both teams left the field on Monday content.
“We knew that they were going to give us a battle,” Malunat said. “We were expecting a tough game at their place … I’m happy. I’d be happier with a win, but I’m happy.”
Both teams will hit the road on Wednesday. Toledo will make the trip to Ilwaco, while Napavine will head to Ocosta.
