TENINO — Defense wins championships.
Or in this case, summer soccer tournaments.
The W.F. West High School girls soccer team didn’t lose much to graduation from the back line outside of Emily Mallonee, who was more midfield, but played back in various spots.
And even without all-area honoree Elizabeth Mittge on the field, the Bearcats found a way to play stout defense as the summer winded down.
Lauren Kelley scored the lone goal late in the first half and the defense plus goalkeeper Bama Ropka did the rest, pushing the Bearcats to their fourth Battle on the Blacktop tournament trophy with a 1-0 win over Napavine.
“Defensively, we were solid and we controlled possession so we’re not defending a ton,” W.F. West head coach Kevin Schultz said. “All weekend long, we didn’t have any mental lapses. It is the cherry on top.”
Schultz, the creator of the tournament from his days at Tenino, always hopes the summer can lead to the fall season with a spark.
He feels this group of Bearcats can resemble one of his final years at Tenino, where the Beavers won the Battle on the Blacktop then proceeded to get to state and win a state tournament game.
“It sparked us into a great season and this could be a similar moment for us,” Schultz said. “We want to be a program of success and this is that step in the right direction. We talk about wanting to be that (top) program in the area and that pushes us in that direction.”
The game itself was a possession battle.
Napavine only had 14 players available and were willing to play a more conservative style. At times. It had six defenders and aimed for counterattacks with Clara and Hannah Fay plus Jenna Gallagher.
W.F. West never let the Tigers get comfortable.
“We had some good games and some games where it took us a half to wake up,” Napavine assistant coach Chris Tarabochia said. “We told the girls this weekend just have fun (and) don’t get hurt.”
Kelley’s goal came off an Ashlen Gruginski shot that bounced around and the senior laced a shot past Tigers keeper Taylen Evander for the tally.
“She played three games this summer and scored in all three,” Schultz said. “Such a great athlete and such a hard worker. We’re really excited for her to have a breakout year.”
Hannah Fay scored eight goals for the weekend to be honored with the Golden Boot while Clara Fay was the Defensive Player of the Tournament. Gallagher was honored as the top playmaker with a tournament-high three assists.
Wyatt Rogerson won the overall MVP for the Bearcats.
For Napavine, now in the second year coached by Jon Bates, it brings plenty of firepower back off a 2B state quarterfinalist team. Tarabochia admitted they’re way ahead of schedule than they were a year ago.
“Was really pleased with how we competed,” Tarabochia said. “We do need to start getting in shape. If they can be self-motivated to condition themselves and we can hit the ground running, I feel good about how this season can go for us.”
