Of the positions in the Evergreen Conference that took the biggest hit to graduation, goalkeeper tops the list. The all-league goalkeeper of the year and the lone first teamer are gone to graduation.
Centralia High School girls soccer netminder Braylee Blankenship is one two returners on the all-league team. And her eyes are set on taking the top spot.
“One of her goals is to either get goalie of the year or (be on) first team all-league,” Tigers head coach Luis Magana said. “She’s very competitive. She’s really strong.”
The senior recorded 11 saves on Thursday night in keeping River Ridge off the scoreboard and closing the non-league game with a scoreless draw at Tiger Stadium.
Blankenship did most of her work in the second half, including having a fast reaction time on a quick free kick taken by the Hawks that bounced off the crossbar and then snaring the rebound shot aimed for the bottom right corner.
River Ridge continued to launch free kicks towards the back line of Centralia, but never saw the ball bounce its way.
“They did really well,” Magana said.
The Tigers returned to their 4-3-3 formation after playing the season-opener against R.A. Long in a 4-4-2. It sacrifices a little bit of offense having three midfielders, but it adds to the defensive prowess.
Magana has traditionally run a 4-3-3 and it took one game for Centralia to return to its roots.
“Just going back to something we already know,” he said.
Just three shots total in the match for the Tigers with their best shot in the second half. River Ridge goalie Averee Mcclelland nonchalantly tried to kick the ball away and Izabella Hernandez nearly stole it.
Mcclelland was able to recover and keep the game scoreless.
“This game is going to come down to who makes the first defensive mistake, ” Magana said. They stayed solid throughout the whole 80 minutes.”
With a handful of experienced upperclassmen, Centralia made improvements from the first two games, but remained scoreless on the season. It is something Magana believes will get figured out as the season progresses.
The Tigers host Montesano in another non-league affair on Tuesday.
“It is hard to create, especially when the wingers go up and we cross and we only have one striker,” Magana said. “If we get one of those games where we’re able to open a fire, it is a confidence thing for us.”
