Less than 48 hours before kickoff on Saturday morning, Jaime Rodriguez was in a Seattle hospital room. The Rochester High School midfielder suffered a head injury in a winner to state match against Raymond/South Bend on Thursday.
He avoided a concussion and was able to return to the field in the Warriors’ final chance to claim a spot in the Class 1A state tournament.
“He wants to be a leader on the team and help anyway he can,” Rochester head coach Matt Ashton said.
Rodriguez ended up being the main reason why Rochester’s season will continue at least one more week.
He found the back of the net in the 72nd minute as the only goal scored to give the Warriors a 1-0 triumph over La Center at King’s Way Christian High School and give them a state tourney berth for the first time in over a decade.
Two years removed from a two-win season, Rochester (14-7) will be one of the final 20 teams standings.
“Overecstatic on how these boys have persevered over the year,” Ashton said. “They put in the work to get here. It all started with the first game of the year against Montesano. Out there gelling and able to have a commanding lead, they didn't let that loss affect them.”
The Evergreen League runners-up needed to upend Forks to keep the season going and even in a 1-0 loss to RSB, the Warriors had one more chance to qualify. La Center controlled possession for much of the match, but never had a threatening chance.
Rodriguez’s goal came on a long ball that he got up and over, beat a couple defenders and sliced it for the tally. The Warriors dealt with the Wildcats bringing everyone up for an equalizer, but the defense held firm for eight regulation and four stoppage time minutes.
Rochester will see where it slots into the bracket on Sunday. If it is seeded 13th-20th, it will play an opening round match either Tuesday or Wednesday. If seeded in the top-12, it will play either Thursday or Friday.
“I hope they use this as motivation,” Ashton said. “I do believe we can match up to anybody that’s out there. We just need to put everything together when it counts.”
