In playoff soccer, the successful teams are those that make their chances count.
Columbia River did that on Saturday, putting away Holy Names Academy of Seattle 5-0 in a Class 3A girls soccer state quarterfinal match at Kiggins Bowl.
Marion Lilly scored three times in the second half to highlight the Chieftain barrage. Freshman Sophie Landers had a goal and assist, and sophomore Ellie Walker scored the only goal of the first half.
Columbia River (16-2-2) will play at 4 p.m. Friday in a 3A semifinal match at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Southridge of Kennewick will be the opponent. Southridge (15-3) scored late to beat Mount Spokane 1-0 in the quarterfinals. The state championship match is at 2 p.m. next Saturday.
Walker scored in the 30th minute with a low shot from the left of goal. She shook off a defender to collect a pass from Sophie Landers, settled the ball, and took a shot that found the side netting.
“Ellie Walker’s goal really opened it up for us to start pressing and keep pushing and give us inspiration,” Lilly said.
The Chieftains put away the game with goals one minute apart from Landers and Lilly. In the 53rd minute, Landers volleyed home a loose ball on a play that began from a River throw-in. Just 100 seconds later, Lilly punched home the third goal, and the first of her three.
On Wednesday, River gave up a pair of late goals after building a 3-0 lead. On Saturday, the Chieftains did not let up. Lilly scored off a pass from Megan Bloom in the 66th minute and then off a pass from Taylor Hallquist in the 69th minute.
“On Wednesday we just got too comfortable with where we were,” River goalkeeper Lily Delgadillo said. “In this game everyone was pushing and pressing so hard. Nobody let down even though we were up.”
Senior Mari Chopp said coach Filomon Afenegus had a good plan that helped the Chieftains cut off passes between the midfield and forwards for Holy Names.
“We kept a defensive mid(fielder) back and we defended really well together,” Chopp said.
This is the third trip to the state semifinals in the last six seasons for Columbia River. Chieftain girls soccer teams won state titles in 2009 and 2012.
“It’s our team chemistry and how hard we work for each other that got us here. Not necessarily our touches on the ball or individual play,” Lilly said. “It’s all of us on the team working to make this happen.”
Chopp said the confidence grew gradually this season. “I felt like what we wanted (to accomplish) just grew stronger and stronger, because we all just love each other so much.”
COLUMBIA RIVER 5, HOLY NAMES 0
Holy Names Academy
Goalkeeper saves — Samantha Miller 1.
Columbia River (16-2-2)
Goals (assists) — Ellie Walker (Sophie Landers), 30th minute; Landers (unassisted), 53rd; Marion Lilly (unassisted) 54th minute; Lilly (Megan Bloom) 66th minute; Lilly (Taylor Hallquist), 69th minute. Goalkeeper saves — Lily Delgadillo 5.
Halftime — Columbia River 1-0.
