Tenino knew it would be facing a high-powered offense and Elma proved every bit as advertised as the Beavers surrendered four second-half goals in a 5-0, 1A Evergreen League loss at home on Friday.
The Eagles entered the game having scored 42 goals in their first four league contests this season.
“They’re a very talented team and very talented offensively,” Tenino coach Kevin Schultz said “So we came out with a more defensive mindset.”
The Beavers went with a five-in-the-back system to try and stem the Eagles’ offensive firepower and catch them on a counter attack.
Other than one slip-up when Elma’s Manny Hernandez scored in the 10th minute, it worked as the Beavers trailed just 1-0 at the half.
Tenino hung tight all the way until the 51st minute, when Cason Seaberg knocked one through the back of the net to put the Eagles up 2-0.
“The ideas were working, but once it was 2-0, we went back to our normal formation,” Schultz said. “And right after the switch, we got called for a penalty and it was downhill from there.”
The Eagles rattled off three goals in a 13-minute span: two goals by Cannon Seaberg in the 62nd and 65th minutes, followed by Jose Valencia-Mendoza’s goal in the 75th minute to close out the scoring.
Schultz commended Beaver keeper Alex Reichelderfer, who finished with 10 saves on the night. Schultz also praised the play of Toby Suess and Takari Hickle.
“Proud of the kids, we competed and hung with them,” Schultz said.
Tenino (5-3, 4-2 Evergreen) is off until April 13 when it hosts Montesano in another league contest.
