The last time Tenino and King’s Way Christian squared off on Sept. 21, the Beavers came away with an easy 4-1 win as the Knights were without their two best players. In the opening round of the 1A District 4 playoffs Tuesday in Vancouver, the Knights had their top girls back. It didn’t matter.
Megan Letts scored on a penalty kick in the 34th minute and the Beavers held on the rest of the way for a 1-0 victory. Tenino will now face league rival Montesano in the district semifinals Thursday.
“(King’s Way Christian’s field is difficult and it’s as big as a field can be,” Tenino coach Kevin Schultz said. “There’s lots of space and it was a back-and-forth, fast-paced game. Most of the first half, we controlled the play and were on them.”
In the second half, the Beavers’ defense stepped up to help secure the win, with Elizabeth Disken, Andee Shaffran, Alivia Hunter and Kayla Feltus playing locktight defense.
Keeper Trinity Tafoya had her best performance of the year, Shultz said, recording six saves in the second half and seven total for the match.
Tenino improves to 13-4 overall and has now won four matches in a row. The Beavers will next face Montesano in the district semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday in Monte. The winner earns an instant qualifier to state and advances to the district championship, while the loser moves to the third/fourth-place match to battle for the third and final state playoff spot.
