After a scoreless first half between Centralia and Aberdeen on Thursday at Tiger Stadium, Olivia Gruginski and Jaslin Corona combined for three goals in the second half to lead the Tigers to a 3-1 win.
“Those two are pairing up well,” Centralia coach Luis Magana said. “They’re playing well. We’re hoping that it carries onto next week as well.”
Gruginski scored the first goal of the game on a set piece in the 46th minute, and after Aberdeen tied the game, she scored Centralia’s second in the 52nd off an assist from Corona.
She returned the favor 20 minutes later, assisting on Corona’s goal, which doubled the Tigers’ advantage.
Gruginski and Corona were the main beneficiaries of a key halftime adjustment by Magana.
In the first half, the Tigers were able to penetrate well, but their through balls were often intercepted by an Aberdeen sweeper.
In order to limit the sweeper’s impact, Magana insisted that one of his two strikers play closer to the midfielders, while the second stepped up and tried to take the sweeper out of the game.
It worked well, and even though Aberdeen responded to the first goal, the Tigers were still able to generate consistent chances in the second half.
“The girls kept fighting,” Magana said. “We didn’t let up.”
It was the second win in a row for the Tigers, and more importantly to Magana, it was the second straight impressive performance after last week’s loss to Tumwater.
“We definitely turned the page from last week,” Magana said. “We were able to get the job done, but the job’s not finished … The goal is to get into the top two. We’re gonna keep focused on our goals and try to get that second spot if we can.”
Centralia is currently tied with W.F. West for the second spot, and could take sole possession of that spot with a win over the Bearcats in the Chronicle Cup next Thursday.
Before that, however, they’ll head to Magana’s alma mater Black Hills to take on the Wolves on Tuesday.
