The Centralia soccer team couldn’t find a game-tying goal in Kelso on Tuesday, falling on the turf at Schroeder Field 2-1.
The Hilanders struck first in the first half, but Eva Reinitz tied the game with a goal early in the second half.
Kelso regained the lead around the 65th minute, and Centralia began pushing the ball upfield with consistency.
There were multiple chances, including a pair of free kicks just outside the box and a close play on a potential handball in the box that the ref determined was not a handball.
“We definitely had our opportunities,” Centralia coach Luis Magana said.
Both teams had seven shots, and Peyton Thurman finished with five saves for the Tigers in net.
Centralia (2-4) will return home to host Shelton on Thursday for their EvCo opener.
“We still have some work to do,” Magana said. “But these non-league games really help us build that chemistry and flow we want to have entering league play.”
