Tigers Blanked By Wolves to Wrap Up Season

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The Centralia girls soccer team’s 2022 fall season came to an end under gray skies and rain at Tiger Stadium, as Black Hills shut the Tigers out 2-0 on a pair of second-half goals.

The Tigers avoided the slow start that’s spelled their doom often this season, taking a scoreless tie into halftime. 

“We went out there with a defensive mindset, and we went out there and made sure that we competed the best we could to make sure our seniors had the best experience possible in their last game in a Centralia Tiger uniform,” head coach Noel Vazquez said.

The defense finally broke down against some well-taken Black Hills set pieces, with the Wolves cashing in on a pair of corner kicks, in the 51st and 70th minutes, to get their goals.



Senior goalkeeper Lily Babka wrapped up her high school career with 13 saves against the 15 shots on target she faced.

Coming off a two-win season a year ago, finished 2022 at 5-11, doubling their win total in 2A EvCo play in Vazquez’s first year at the helm.

“It’s a different group with a different mindset,” he said. “New system, new coaching. I think that five wins on the season is a lot better than they’ve experienced, from what they told me before. I’m looking at it with an open mindset.”

Black Hills, meanwhile, will get the postseason started in the area Thursday, when it hosts Washougal in the loser-out pigtail game to kick off the 2A District 4 tournament.