BATTLE GROUND — Before Tuesday’s 2A district boys soccer semifinal, little separated Hockinson and R.A. Long. Both arrived wearing white uniforms.
There also wasn’t much difference between the teams during the match. Hockinson changed into blue, then held off R.A. Long 2-1 at Battle Ground District Stadium.
Mitchell Pinney had a goal and an assist in a two-minute burst before halftime. Goalkeeper Jack Bloss preserved the lead with eight saves, including a fully-stretched fingertip save midway through the second half.
Hockinson advances to face Ridgefield in the district championship match Thursday at Ridgefield.
More importantly, the Hawks claimed one of three district berths to the state tournament. Hockinson (13-5-0) has now qualified for three consecutive years.
“We’re starting to play really well right when we need it,” Pinney said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds in the state tournament.”
But Hockinson wasn’t excited to see R.A. Long take a 1-0 lead two minutes into Tuesday’s match. Jesus Cabrera found Manuel Cabrera unmarked for a 10-yard shot that he blasted inside the left post.
But Hockinson gradually built pressure, nearly scoring on a corner kick in the 12th minute. R.A. Long goalkeeper Jesus Radillo barely tipped Jacob Allen’s header over the crossbar.
Hockinson finally broke through two minutes before halftime. Pinney unleashed a low rocket from 20 yards inside the left post.
“We just started working back to playing our game,” Pinney said. “It just so happened I got a nice run down the side, got off a shot and it went in.”
The Hawks weren’t done. One minute later, Pinney blazed by R.A. Long’s last defender before crossing to a wide open Derek Henderson. His goal from five yards gave Hockinson the lead at the break.
Hockinson held the lead behind a defense that had recorded shutouts in six of its previous seven matches.
“They’ve been solid all season,” Bloss said of the defense. “We started out a little shaky, but we had a really good finish. Everyone held strong and played their part.”
Bloss played a big part in midway through the second half. Alonzo Hernandez dribbled through the Hockinson defense and hit a 15-yard shot destined for the goal’s top-right corner.
But Bloss stretched his body to the limit to tip the shot wide.
“Luckily he went the way that my weight was going,” Bloss said.
Now Hockinson faces 2A Greater St. Helens League champion Ridgefield, which beat the Hawks 1-0 twice during the league season.
R.A. Long (9-8-0) must win two matches to reach state, starting Thursday at Aberdeen.
