With games right around the corner, final preparations are underway for local soccer teams, including a handful that played at a jamboree at Centralia College on Saturday.
Several local teams, along with Pasco, Aberdeen, and King’s Way, played two 20-minute games, giving each coach some time to tinker and adjust on the fly.
Here’s one takeaway from some area teams:
Centralia efficient on both sides of the ball
Centralia scored three goals in its 40 minutes of action, defeating Aberdeen 1-0 on a free kick from Olivia Gruginski, and beating Pasco 2-0 on goals from Anna Blankenship and Jaslin Corona.
Centralia coach Luis Magana said that coming out of the summer, he knew his offense would be able to generate chances, but he was hesitant about the lack of consistency in finishing those chances off.
“We were always competitive in the summer, but we just couldn’t finish,” Magana said. “I was happy with what I saw … It was a good snapshot of the work that we’ve been putting in.”
On defense, the Tigers never faced a real threat, as they were able to keep opposing offense at bay.
Magana commended center back Bella Gomez and keeper Braylee Blankenship, who both earned second-team all-league honors last season, saying that the are continuing to build on the success they had last season.
Centralia will open its season on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at R.A. Long, and the Tigers’ home opener will be two days later against River Ridge.
No issues creating chances for the Bearcats
W.F. West left CC with two draws, as they finished deadlocked at one with King’s Way before a scoreless 20 minutes against Black Hills.
While the Bearcats only scored one goal, coach Kevin Schultz was pleased with how the offense moved the ball.
“We created quite a few chances and dictated the game,” Schultz said. “I would have liked to see us finish some more … But it was a positive to see how we’re moving the ball, especially early on.”
The Bearcats also open their season on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at home against Woodland.
Montgomery pleased with different looks
Jamborees are the perfect place for coaches to get an idea of how certain combinations and formations can look against a live opponent.
Tenino coach Dave Montgomery took advantage of his 40 minutes on Saturday, using them to see how some of his players would react and adjust to new spots on the field.
He was pleased with what he saw, as the Beavers drew 1-1 against both Napavine and Tumwater. Holly Thoren scored the first goal, and Leyna Burkevics scored the second off a corner kick.
The JV team had mixed results, beating Aberdeen 2-0 before losing to Centralia 3-0.
“A bunch of them showed out really well,” Montgomery said. “We were really happy with that.”
Tenino’s season kicks off at home on Saturday against Chelan.
Shorthanded Warriors exceed expectations
Rochester coach Matt Ashton didn’t have his full team at his disposal on Saturday, but he was still proud of the way the Warriors battled. A Rochester squad made up of mostly JV players came away with a 1-0 win and a 0-0 draw.
“I had mixed emotions going in not knowing how we’re gonna play,” Ashton said. “I just wanted us to go out and play well.”
Even as the heat wore them down in the second game, Ashton said that the Warriors were able to consistently pass the ball well, better than he thought they would be able to.
“The girls exceeded my expectations,” Ashton said.
Kenna Pratt also impressed in net, not allowing a goal in the 40 minutes of action.
The Warriors will open their regular season at home next Tuesday, Sept. 10, at home against Eatonville.
Tigers adapting to new coaching style
New Napavine coach John Bates hasn’t had a ton of time with the Tigers so far, but he is pleased with their incremental growth over the course of this first week.
“We’re coming together a little bit,” Bates said. “I think we did pretty good.”
The Tigers finished with two draws, a 1-1 draw against Tenino before a scoreless match with Tumwater. Grace Pancake scored their lone goal of the day off an assist from Hannah Fay.
Bates said that as the season gets underway, the main focus will be on how Napavine continues to develop defensively.
“It’s gonna take a little bit of time,” Bates said. “But there’s some good athletes, and that’s a point I can take off from.”
Napavine’s first test will be a big one, as the Tigers will head to Montesano on Thursday.
