At the end of a back-and-forth game on Tuesday, Elma and Centralia left Tiger Stadium somewhat satisfied, as the Eagles and Tigers played to a 2-2 draw.
“At the end of the day, it’s not a loss,” Centralia coach Luis Magana said. “I’m a little frustrated that we didn’t get the win, but I am happy that I was able to rotate everyone in and we were able to get other girls on the scoreboard.”
Izabella Hernandez was the first Tiger to get on the board on Tuesday, as she connected on a loose ball in the box in the fifth minute to give Centralia a 1-0 lead.
The ball had originally come into the box off a free kick from Olivia Gruginski, and after it was sent out, Jocelyn Navarro sent it back, where Hernandez pounced on it.
Magana said that the Tigers had focused on sending balls back into the box on set pieces when they could, and he was pleased to see it pay off so early in the match.
The two teams continued to trade chances, and Elma’s Beta Valentine scored two goals to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead. In the 64th minute, Eva Reinitz tied the game, and that scoreline held until the final whistle.
“Soccer is just a game of momentum,” Magana said. “We were able to recover and save the game.”
Magana was proud of both Hernandez and Reinitz for breaking through on the scoresheet, and he was also pleased with the play of sophomores Enedina Silva and Cyndal Sills on the back line.
Braylee Blankenship recorded six saves before leaving the game with a hand injury, though Magana is hopeful that it won’t be a long-term issue and said they are taking it “day-to-day.”
Centralia (1-2-2) will hit the road to begin league play on Thursday in Shelton.
