The result meant nothing for postseason seeding, but the Napavine girls soccer team’s 2-0 win over Adna to end the regular season means the Tigers are going into the playoffs with a whole lot more wind in their sails than they had a couple days ago in a loss to Ocosta.
“Everything we did tonight was so much better than what we showed against Ocosta,” Napavine coach Chris Tarabochia said. “It was nice to see us respond knowing we left something on the field Wednesday.”
The Tigers struck first early, with senior Dani Tupuola setting up Grace Pancake, who made it 1-0. Tupuola got on the scoresheet herself on her senior night, scoring an unassisted goal in the 60th minute to double the lead.
That’s not to say there weren’t ample chances, in a game that teetered toward chaos multiple times. Adna was awarded two penalty kicks, while Napavine got one of its own, but Taylen Evander stopped both the Pirates’ shots, and Reagan Naillon kept the Tigers from increasing their lead any more with a save.
The Pirates outshot their hosts 16-13, but couldn’t find the final ball needed.
“We had some bright moments, but nothing that turned into finishing goals,” Adna coach Patrick Richardson said.
Because of Napavine’s loss to Ocosta earlier in the week, the result didn’t change anything in the standings. Adna still takes the 2B North’s top seed into the district tournament, and is scheduled to host Winlock on Tuesday. Napavine, as the No. 2, will host Toledo.
