When four of the best girls soccer teams in the state converge on the same field, tension is inevitable. But the stage should not to be too big for the Columbia River Chieftains, who take on Southridge of Kennewick at 4 p.m. Friday in the semifinals of the Class 3A girls soccer state tournament.
Four of the Chieftains have happy memories of their time at Sparks Stadium two autumns ago. Taylor Hallquist, Marion Lilly, Mari Chopp and Julia Drury each contributed to the Chieftains’ 2012 state title. Chopp converted the clinching penalty kick in a semifinal tiebreaker against Liberty of Issaquah, Lilly scored the first goal of the championship game off a pass from Drury. And Hallquist was part of the defense that was the foundation of that championship team.
Who: Columbia River (16-2-2) vs. Southridge (15-3).
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Sparks Stadium, Puyallup.
Tickets: $9 adults per day / $15 both days ($7/$10 for students with ASB cards)
Saturday: Third-pace game at 10 a.m.; Championship game at 2 p.m.
Live updates: Follow Columbian reporter Paul Danzer on Twitter @360Danzer for updates on site from Puyallup.
“We had good individual players but the team worked so well together. That’s how we pushed through and were able to win those close games,” Hallquist said of the 2012 championship team.
Who: Columbia River (16-2-2) vs. Southridge (15-3).
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Sparks Stadium, Puyallup.
Tickets: $9 adults per day / $15 both days ($7/$10 for students with ASB cards)
Saturday: Third-pace game at 10 a.m.; Championship game at 2 p.m.
Live updates: Follow Columbian reporter Paul Danzer on Twitter @360Danzer for updates on site from Puyallup.
This team has a similar makeup, according to the players who contributed to that 2012 run. It helps, they said, that some of them have experienced the intensity of playing in the final four.
“Yes, we’ve all played at a high level of club (soccer), but it’s very different because you’re playing for your family and for your school and for your community. So I think that prior experience will be very helpful,” Drury said. “But I think the girls who haven’t been there will also adapt to it pretty quickly. I think we’ll be very successful.”
The Chieftains have been plenty successful in recent years. River won its first state title in 2009. The 2012 title came in Filomon Afenegus’ first season as the Chieftains coach. Last season, River was unbeaten and not scored upon until Liberty of Issaquah — on its way to a state championship — beat the Chieftains 2-0 in the first round of the state tournament.
Chopp said last season’s loss to Liberty reminds her not to take any experience for granted.
“We lost 12 seniors (from last season), so we knew we had to work really hard. If we wanted to get this far we would have to go out every day and put in the effort to improve.”
In Afenegus’ three seasons, the Chieftains are 50-3-5. They have outscored opponents 222-17.
Statistically, this has been the most challenging of the three seasons under Afenegus. Still, the Chieftains (16-2-2) have outscored their opponents 62-9 and recorded shutouts in 13 of 20 matches. River enters the state semifinals on a 14-game winning streak. It has scored eight goals in the first two rounds of this tournament.
“We have strong leadership personalities and it makes for a good team chemistry,” Hallquist said.
An outside back, Hallquist was the 3A Greater St. Helens League defender of the year. She has contributed four goals and 10 assists, but said it is the team’s forwards that have propelled it back to the state semifinals.
“I think we’re really dangerous with our forwards. That’s a big thing in playoff soccer,” Hallquist said.
Lilly leads the attack with 15 goals and eight assists, including four goals and one assist in two state playoff wins. Sophomore Ellie Walker has 12 goals and six assists.
Lilly knows from experience that the challenges will be greater in Puyallup.
“Every team in the final four is a great team with great players,” Lilly said. “It all comes down to who is willing to make the sacrifices, and who is willing to work harder for their teammates.”
Chopp, who played on the wing in 2012, is now a defensive midfielder whose first job is to disrupt opposing attacks. Drury, normally a defensive midfielder, is playing as a center back for the first time this fall. Chopp and Drury point to senior goalkeeper Lilli Delgadillo as an example of someone who has steadily improved. Small, consistent, improvement is what Afenegus preaches.
“Our coach always says: ‘Celebrate rarely, grind regularly,'” Chopp said.
Following that mantra, the Chieftains have moved with machine-like fashion back to the state semifinals. Two more wins, and some of these River players can celebrate are rare second state title.
“I just remember being so excited and so thrilled and feeling so lucky to be part of an amazing team — especially as a sophomore,” Drury said, reflecting upon 2012. “A lot of teams don’t even get to go to state, let alone the state finals and win.
“To be there, even in the final four, is an amazing accomplishment.”
