TUMWATER — Much has changed in the last six-to-seven years. What hasn’t is the Tumwater High School girls soccer team stranglehold on the Class 2A Evergreen Conference.
The Thunderbirds have won the league title every year since at least 2017 or 2018. It hasn’t been by the skin of their teeth either. They have not lost a league match in that time span.
“We are constantly trying to evolve,” Tumwater head coach Brett Bartlett said. “When you’re at the top of your game, you have to change your game, because everybody is gunning for you. You got to do something a little different.”
Three goals from stalwarts in the starting 11 allowed the T-Birds to prevail over W.F. West 3-0 on Thursday night at Tumwater District Stadium to remain perfect in the league and take a two-game lead in the table.
Since giving up a penalty kick goal to the Bearcats in the first meeting, Tumwater (10-2-2, 7-0 EvCo) has scored seven straight against its rival.
For the most of the first half, it was without reigning league offensive player of the year Emalyn Shaffer, who was limited. The T-Birds didn’t miss a beat.
Kayla Pope slotted in a power penalty kick in the 19th minute after Ava Jones was fouled in the box. Then 10 minutes later, senior Lucy Bergford was left open in the middle and Jones delivered an assist in the 29th minute.
Shaffer checked into the match five minutes after the 2-0 cushion was established. Defender Allison Woods buried a header on a corner kick in the 45th minute for Tumwater.
“We all know how we play,” Bergford said. “We’ve done an amazing job so far.”
It’s no secret that the connection amongst the T-Birds is high. From playing with each other in club and throughout this latest run of SW Washington domination, they have an established rhythm on the pitch.
The next step?
Taking the tactics of the game and not only using it, but adjusting on the fly. That’s what Bartlett has been vitally impressed with this fall.
“They start to recognize opportunities, patterns, how a defense is rotating and they talk about it,” he said. “They’re not just out there swinging and hitting into spaces. They’re starting to think about the game a little more, but the technical side of it is what’s really allowed us to continue to do that.
“You can talk about tactics all you want, but if you can’t do anything with the ball, what’s the point?”
And if Tumwater is to overcome last season’s shortcomings in the 2A District 4 tournament, Bergford understands the importance of stringing together quality victories.
“We’re all very tight,” Bergford said.
W.F. West (9-3, 5-2) struggled to win first balls and attacks by its opposition were generated off them. Still, it was far from an onslaught.
Which Kevin Schultz can take as a positive with two crucial league games against Aberdeen and The Chronicle Cup next Thursday against Centralia.
“We went in our normal formation and we pretty much played them straight up,” Schultz said. “They weren’t scared. I liked the courage and I thought there were some good moments. This is the level they want to play at and the difference is, we gotta connect more passes.”
Ashlen Gruginski got behind the Tumwater defense multiple times in the last 10-plus minutes. She had a one-on-one chance that was saved by T-Birds keeper Wendy Ferrell reaching out for a diving save.
The Bearcats top attacker was relatively held in check even with the absence of Tumwater center back Trinity Edwards.
“This group does not give up,” Schultz said.
The Thunderbirds trek to Shelton next week in an attempt to wrap up at least a share of the league title. They can win it outright with a win and a W.F. West or on Thursday facing county foe Black Hills.
