Montesano scored three times in the first half to remain undefeated in league play with a 4-0 victory over the upstart Elma Eagles on Tuesday at Davis Field in Elma.
The Bulldogs (7-1 overall, 3-0 1A Evergreen) got a first half goal from Anabelle Estrada and two from Mikayla Stanfield, seizing on their opportunities as Elma spent a significant amount of time in the first half on the Monte side of the centerline but failed to capitalize on multiple scoring chances.
In the second half, Montesano’s Bethanie Henderson scored on a corner kick in the 46th minute to secure Montesano’s victory, one that gave Monte a 1.5 game lead over Elma and Eatonville in the 1A Evergreen League standings.
“We have the ability, but I’m a little disapointed with our team,” Elma head coach Evan Valentine said, adding the Eagles made too many individual errors and didn’t play the intelligent brand of soccer they’ve been working on in practice. “We basically gave them three gifts. Soccer is a cruel sports and we gave them three gifts in the first half and a team like that, that is essentially giving them the win. Going down three goals in the second half to a team like that is a mountain to overcome.”
Coming off a surprising upset victory over Tenino, Valentine said he knows his team is capable of more and offered a way they can fix the woes that plagued it Tuesday moving forward.
“We need to be a little more clinical in the final third,” he said. “It’s disappointing because that was our home game (against Montesano) and I know we could have done better than that.”
RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Montesano midfielder Paige Lisherness (8) and Elma’s Janessa Sample compete for possession during Monte’s 4-0 win on Tuesday in Elma.
Montesano head coach Fidel Sanchez cited the play of his goal keeper, Riley Timmons, for making some strong plays on Elma’s scoring opportunities in the first half while the Bulldogs got adjusted to playing on a grass field. Timmons saved all six shots she faced and was named Monte’s ‘Player of the Game’ by Sanchez after turning back several dangerous crosses and shots.
“We don’t play a lot of games in the grass and it was a little bumpy out there, but nonetheless the girls have to learn to overcome that,” he said. “We’re still looking to improve, it doesn’t matter who we play. …We don’t underestimate anybody. We focus on us. That’s what we can control. … That our philosophy and it’s been working pretty well for us.”
Montesano 3 1 — 4
Elma 0 0 — 0
Tumwater 2, Aberdeen 0
Though the Bobcats played much better than in their previous meeting, two first half goals turned out to be enough as Aberdeen fell to Tumwater 2-0 on Tuesday at Stewart Field in Aberdeen.
Playing at a higher level than when they lost to the Thunderbirds 5-0 on Sept. 8, Aberdeen (6-4, 3-4 2A Evergreen) kept the game close with a better defensive effort.
But Tumwater (8-1, 6-0) found a way to get behind Aberdeen defenders for goals in the 20th and 28th minutes of the first half.
In the second half, Aberdeen’s defense shut out Tumwater behind the defensive play of Aili Scott and Scotlyn Lecomte while keeper Char Gutierrez kept the T-Birds off the scoreboard in the second half.
Aberdeen’s offense had a few opportunities but failed to score against the league-leading T-Birds.
“The girls gave a lot of effort and played an outstanding defensive game, only giving up the two goals,” Aberdeen head coach Larry Fleming said. “This is quite an accomplishment considering how much possession the T-Birds had throughout the match.”
Aberdeen takes on Centralia at 7 p.m. Thursday at Stewart Field.
Tumwater 2 0 — 2
Aberdeen 0 0 — 0
Other scores
Eatonville 2, Hoquiam 0
Raymond-South Bend 3, Forks 1 (Monday)
BOYS PREP GOLF
Hoquiam 182, King’s Way Christian 196
Hoquiam returned to the links after a two-week hiatus and looked no worse for wear in a 182-196 victory over King’s Way Christian on Tuesday at Highland Golf Course.
Paced by its top four scores being sub-46 for a 9-hole round, the Grizzlies cruised to victory on Senior Night, honoring six of its players in the process.
The Grizzlies were paced by Nyeki Dayton, who shot a 44 followed by Dominic Pence, Mick Bozich and Riley Montoure, each of whom shot a 46.
Hoquiam’s depth showed like it did earlier in the season, with Cody Garman — who finished just outside the scoring cut — shot Hoquiam’s fifth sub-50 round with a 49.
King’s Way Christian’s Hunter Davenport won Medalist honors with a low-round of 43.
Hoquiam faces Aberdeen at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at Grays Harbor Country Club.
Hoquiam (182) — Nyeki Dayton 44, Dominic Pence 46, Mick Bozich 46, Riley Montoure 46.
KWC (196) — Hunter Davenport 43, Cade Erwin 49, Colin Trang 51, Isaac Pisarczyk 53.
