It was all about gaining some playoff experience for the Columbia River girls soccer team Thursday night at Kiggins Bowl.
There was no pressure.
The season was not on the line. The Chieftains had already clinched a berth to the upcoming Class 3A state tournament.
Still, they wanted to win to earn a home playoff match at state.
They got some experience, alright, and they got a winning experience.
Sophia Keenan scored on River’s first shot of the match, Ellie Walker added some insurance in the second half, and the River defense did not allow a shot on goal in a 2-0 win over Kennedy Catholic of Burien in the semifinals of the bi-district tournament.
Columbia River will face —- at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner in the championship match. Regardless of the outcome, the Chieftains have earned a home match in next week’s opening round of the state tournament.
“It was incredible. I’ve never done that,” Keenan said of scoring in a playoff match. “Last year, I played like 10 minutes in the playoffs. Now I’m a starter. I never expected this. I’m so grateful.”
She found the net in the 11th minute of the match.
That was plenty for the Chieftains, because the defense shut down any would-be attack from Kennedy. Lilli Delgadillo shouted advice and instructions to her defenders, but the Columbia River goalkeeper did not register a save in the match.
“That means it was a good day,” Delgadillo said.
Taylor Hallquist was one of the four who shined on the back line for the Chieftains.
“We organized a lot. We practice this. We have really good chemistry,” she said. “We work from the back up. You can’t play offense until you have played defense. There was some really good communication between us.”
River made it 2-0 in the 61st minute when Mari Chopp found Walker on a highlight-type pass, with Walker converting.
The Chieftains will be on the road for the bi-district title match, but then return home for state.
“It’s awesome. We have great support. We’re always working for our crowd,” Hallquist said. “To have that energy … it was meant to be.”
Win or lose, the Chieftains knew this match would be beneficial.
“There is nothing like playoff soccer,” River coach Filomon Afenegus said. “You can’t replicate it. To get a little bit of experience under our belt is huge.”
The win, and another home playoff match, were bonuses.
