Eight years ago, it was viewed as a pipe dream.
Centralia College women’s soccer team was in its literal infancy as a program, establishing itself on the junior college level. Making the playoffs was not even on its radar.
Now, the possibility of playing postseason soccer is at the forefront of the Blazers’ mind.
“We got together the other day and picked out a few of the team goals that was one of our top goals,” sophomore midfielder Sarah Robbins said. “We have so much chemistry. We’re getting to that point where we have such a good team it is realistic.
“This is the year I think we can do it.”
Centralia started off on the right foot with a season-opening 1-0 triumph over Clackamas on Wednesday night at Bob Peters Field.
Thirteen returning players off last season’s six-win team have brought a renewed fire alongside 12 incoming freshmen. The Blazers missed the playoffs by two games last fall.
They believe this year is the best position they have been in since its inception.
“We had control of the game, I knew we were going to do (well) this game and I’m proud,” forward Rubi Serrato said. “We all get along.”
Coach Clarence Karteh’s squad controlled possession for the opening 45 minutes against the Cougars, but struggled to generate chances in the attacking third.
That adjustment was prominently featured in the second half.
“As time goes on, we want to see the team improve,” Karteh said. “We made some changes. I would have loved to see us score more goals, but I can only expect us to get better.”
Freshman Maylania Mikaele rang an upper right corner shot off the crossbar in the 69th minute and Krysta Hook’s shot a minute later was cleaned up.
One of a handful of corner kicks Centralia earned in the final 30 minutes, Alyssa Hook’s ball went right towards Serrato’s head and past Clackamas netminder Ally Bueck.
“It feels great,” Serrato said. “We have some fire in us.”
The back line kept counterattacks to a minimum and when the Cougars broke free, the Blazers (1-0) weren’t far behind. Centralia finished with eight shots on goal.
Serrato and Robbins concurred the defense has potential to be a top-notch unit in the NWAC. Still, they will be tested quite often – especially on the road.
Centralia plays just three games on its turf field from mid-August until October 9. Then it hosts five league opponents in a two-week time period.
“Little bit of a reminder to make them understand that we train like we want to be a playoff team,” Karteh said. “Every training session has to be intense, every game has to be intense.”
Robbins and W.F. West grad Madeline Shields are the lone area players on the roster. The former calls playing for her home college “an honor.”
“Just to go to a college that is such a good fit,” she added. “I always want to play my hardest.”
After just 10 days of training sessions and 90 game minutes, Centralia players and coaches have been pleased with the early signs.
To them, playing into November is number one priority.
“I’m ready to see where we go,” Serrato said.
