The Centralia girls soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to four games by tying Kelso 2-2 on Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers took the lead first in the 22nd minute, as Olivia Gruginski took a throw-in from Yarexy Mejia and beat the keeper.
Kelso scored the next two goals. The first came just three minutes after Centralia opened the scoring, and the second came in the 60th minute.
After the Hilanders took the lead, Centralia coach Luis Magana made the switch from a 4-3-3 to a 4-1-3-2, saying that he was willing to give up the wings in order to try and create more pressure up the middle.
“We were able to pressure them,” Magana said. “Which turned out to be alright.”
The Tigers dominated possession in the final 20 minutes, and they were able to score the equalizer in the final moments.
Jaslin Corona played a long ball into Eva Reinitz, who drew a foul in the box. Gruginski stepped up to the spot and scored her second of the game.
“The girls were definitely resilient,” Magana said. “I was proud with the team and how they did … I was happy to see the girls be able to stay positive and just keep fighting.”
Magana also commended his defense, which was able to keep up with the speed of Kelso’s counter-attack, even as it wore them down in the second half.
“They played hard,” Magana said.
Braylee Blankenship also had another impressive game, tallying six saves in net.
The Tigers finish non-league play at 2-2-3, and they’ll turn their attention to their league opener, which is set for Tuesday in Aberdeen.
“We’re looking forward to league play next week,” Magana said. “And we’ll go on from there.”
