Of their bid to stay atop the Class 2A ladies soccer ranks, the Ridgefield Spudders have executed their greatest to remain on a good keel.
“I think we keep our highs low and lows high,” Ridgefield senior Marlee Buffham mentioned. “That’s our mindset.”
The oft-repeated mantra from Ridgefield coach Steven Evans served the Spudders effectively once they misplaced to rival Columbia River in September — their solely lack of the season so far — and the rematch one month later once they downed the Rapids in a penalty kick shootout.
Ridgefield’s newest win, a 2-0 win over River in Saturday’s Class 2A District 4 championship recreation at John O’Rourke Area, got here with little fanfare. After the Spudders (19-1-1) celebrated their second consecutive district title, the defending state champions’ focus rapidly turned to subsequent week’s 2A state event.
“For us, the message a lot of the year has been … there’s a little bit more in the tank every game,” Evans mentioned.
“It’s the same mentality tonight. We had a strong performance, but I think our goal is that state championship and I think the girls are aligned with that. They’re hungry for more and hungry to improve.”
Days after scoring three second-half targets in a district semifinal win towards Tumwater, Ridgefield additionally opened Saturday’s recreation because the aggressor.
The Spudders struck first on an unassisted Savvy Semlick objective within the seventh minute when the sophomore regained possession, dribbled up the suitable nook and lofted a shot over River’s goalkeeper into the web.
“We wanted to be first to every ball, just come out very strong and prove how we are,” Ridgefield senior Tori Lasch mentioned.
Lasch added a objective quarter-hour into the second half when the ahead broke via the Rapids’ protection for an unassisted close-range shot.
The Spudders’ speedy assault spearheaded by Lasch, Buffham and Ellie Wilson had the Rapids on their heels, whereas their protection plus goalkeepers Tyler Merlock and Opal Ruddy mixed for the staff’s tenth shutout of the season.
“It feels amazing. We’ve been working so hard all year, pushing all year to finally get this,” Lasch mentioned.
For 2 seasons in a row, River has defeated Ridgefield within the groups’ first assembly just for the Spudders to make the suitable changes to win rematches later within the season. With Saturday’s rubber match, Ridgefield has received three of the final 4 video games towards River courting again to final yr’s state semifinals when the Spudders received en path to capturing this system’s first state title.
“Over the years it’s just proof of us getting stronger as a team and a program,” Buffham mentioned. “We keep putting it away.”
Ridgefield and River, together with fellow 2A Higher St. Helens League groups Hockinson and R.A. Lengthy, have all certified for the 2A state event. Brackets can be launched Sunday.
“Our goal, at the end of the day, is a state championship, and this is just another box to check off,” Buffham mentioned. “We did the same thing last year. It’s just another mark.”
RIDGEFIELD 2, COLUMBIA RIVER 0
Ridgefield
Targets (assists) — Savvy Semlick (unassisted), Tori Lasch (unassisted). Goalkeeper saves — Tyler Merlock 2, Opal Ruddy 3. Match standout — Semlick.
Columbia River
Goalkeeper saves — Ruby Ayers 5.
Halftime — 1-0