Aberdeen took a big step toward a 2A Evergreen Conference title with a win over Tumwater as we review boys prep soccer games on the Harbor.
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BOYS PREP SOCCER
Aberdeen 1, Tumwater 0
Aberdeen came up clutch in overtime for a key 1-0 win over Tumwater on Friday in Tumwater.
Needing a win to move into first place in the 2A Evergreen Conference, the Bobcats (11-2, 8-1 2A Evergreen) battled with the Thunderbirds (9-6, 7-2) through a scoreless first half, with Bobcats head coach Larry Fleming crediting Aberdeen’s staunch defensive effort as “the key to keeping the T-birds out of the net.”
Aberdeen was able to pressure Tumwater more frequently in the second half, working the ball downfield with both passing and long-ball play.
With both teams failing to score in regulation, the game went to sudden-death overtime.
The game wouldn’t stay scoreless for long as 25 seconds into the first five-minute extra period, Aberdeen junior midfielder Tyson Dunlap brought the ball down with an adept touch before turning to play the ball to the outside, where he found overlapping junior midfielder Cristhian Lopez.
Lopez dribbled in and took a shot from 30 yards that went over the leaping goalkeeper’s hand and settled inside the far post for a golden goal, setting off an electrified Aberdeen victory celebration while the T-Birds appeared crestfallen.
RIDLEY HUDSON | THE CHRONICLE Aberdeen players celebrate defeating Tumwater 1-0 on an overtime goal on Friday at Tumwater High School.
“So proud of our boys and how hard they are working even when things are frustrating and we are controlling the ball like we know we can,” Fleming said. “Good teams just find a way to win these tough games. Great hustle and effort was the key to the victory.”
Fleming commended the play of senior captain Angel Espinosa, Cris Lopez, Ryker Scott and Edgar Ceja whom he stated “were terrific on the defensive end, once again.”
The win pulls Aberdeen into a tie with Tumwater for first place in the league standings, both with 22 points, but the Bobcats hold the tiebreaker by winning both games against Tumwater this season.
Aberdeen has locked up no worse than a No. 2 league playoff seed and will host a district-playoff game at 6 p.m. on Saturday (opponent to be determined).
An Aberdeen victory in the regular-season finale at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Centralia or a Tumwater loss to W.F. West would give the Bobcats the league title.
Aberdeen’s JV team lost 4-1 on Friday, with Oscar Leiva scoring the lone goal for the Bobcats.
Aberdeen 0 0 1 – 1
Tumwater 0 0 0 – 0
Scoring
First half – none.
Second half – none.
First overtime – 1, Aberdeen, C. Lopez (Dunlap), 81st minute.
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Rochester 3, Hoquiam 2
Playing a man down for the majority of the game was too much for Hoquiam to overcome in a 3-2 loss to Rochester on Saturday in Rochester.
The Grizzlies (7-9, 7-8 1A Evergreen) trailed the Warriors (11-5, 11-4) 2-0 after goals in the first 15 minutes of the game before responding with a tap-in goal from sophomore midfielder Michael Garcia off an assist from Alex Perez in the 20th minute.
But a Hoquiam player received a red card and the Grizzlies were forced to play the final 60 minutes of the game down a player.
Hoquiam midfielder J.B. Fabian was fouled in the penalty area just two minutes later and converted a penalty kick to tie the game at 2-2.
After the half, Rochester scored in the 51st minute, which turned out to be the difference in Hoquiam’s 3-2 loss.
“It took us awhile to find our rhythm, but once we found it, we played a good game,” Hoquiam head coach Corri Schmid said. “Regardless of our setbacks in the game the team kept working hard and never gave up.”
Hoquiam sits in sixth place in the 1A Evergreen League and will host Tenino at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Hoquiam 2 0 – 2
Rochester 2 1 – 3
Scoring
First half – 1, Rochester, 6th minute. 2, Rochester, 11th minute. 3, Hoquiam, M. Garcia (A. Perez), 20th minute. 4, Hoquiam, Fabian, 22nd minute.
Second half – 5, Rochester, 51st minute.
