Who: Ridgefield (18-2-1) vs. Shorecrest (18-3)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Shoreline Stadium, Shoreline.
Tickets: $9 adults per day / $15 both days ($7/$10 for students with ASB cards)
Saturday: Third-pace game at noon; Championship game at 4 p.m.
Live updates: Follow Columbian Sports Editor Micah Rice on Twitter @col_mrice for updates on site from Shoreline.
The Ridgefield girls soccer team is in the state semifinals for the first time. But the Spudders are not a one-year wonder.
The breakthrough season, according to coach Robby Trimbo, is a case of building upon past playoff disappointments.
“They’ve done a lot of methodical preparation,” Trimbo said. “They’ve been training really, really well for months.”
Who: Ridgefield (18-2-1) vs. Shorecrest (18-3)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Shoreline Stadium, Shoreline.
Tickets: $9 adults per day / $15 both days ($7/$10 for students with ASB cards)
Saturday: Third-pace game at noon; Championship game at 4 p.m.
Live updates: Follow Columbian Sports Editor Micah Rice on Twitter @col_mrice for updates on site from Shoreline.
Now in his fifth season as the Spudders’ coach, Trimbo said the main improvement was his own. He went through a coaching certification program and now holds the highest license recognized by U.S. Soccer.
“It was a shock to realize that in some ways I was a weak link in the program,” Trimbo said.
The program wasn’t exactly weak. This is the fourth time in Trimbo’s five seasons that the Spudders have qualified for state. But the team was 1-3 in state playoff games under Trimbo before this season.
It wasn’t his game plans that were the problem, he said. But the way he was teaching those tactics needed to be streamlined. With some talented underclassmen stepping forward, the Spudders have reached new territory.
Sophomore midfielder Taryn Ries leads the way with 19 goals and 25 assists as the Spudders (18-2-1) have outscored opponents 69-16. Senior midfielder Jordyn Voyles, in her fourth varsity season, has 11 goals and six assists. Junior Madi Ochoa (8 goals), sophomore Erin Siegel (8 goals) and sophomore Kara Klaus (6 goals, 6 assists) have helped balance the attack. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Kaufman has 13 shutouts.
But Trimbo said this level of success would not have happened without the leadership and the sacrifices of a senior class that has devoted years to growing the program.
“The success (this season) is very much a product of a program that’s improving,” Trimbo said.
Another advantage this season were the three tough battles with a Hockinson team that reached the state quarterfinals. The Spudders won all three, though each match was highly competitive.
“Having played a quality opponent like Hockinson three times this season definitely helps prepare us for the playoffs,” Trimbo said.
Ridgefield will be tested in the semifinals by a Shorecrest team playing on home turf. In the quarterfinals, Shorecrest (18-3) rallied in the second half on four goals by Sophia Viviano to beat Liberty of Issaquah 4-3. Liberty won the Class 3A title last season.
In the other semifinal, the Squalicum team that knocked off Hockinson 3-2 in the quarterfinals will face Ephrata.
