RIDGEFIELD—The Ridgefield boys soccer advanced to the championship of the 2A District 4 tournament and clinched a berth in the state tournament Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Washougal.
The Panthers defended furiously, but Ridgefield had just enough quality to outlast them with stoppage time goals in the first and second halves to win.
The Spudders’ first breakthrough came from the only blunder Washougal had in the back line in the first half.
Andrew Williams found Jason Osborn streaking down the right side of the field, before slotting the ball in on the far post.
“We got it up real fast,” Osborn said of the first goal. “I stayed out wide like I was supposed to do to drag out my defender, saw my opportunity to cut right in, (Williams) fed me the ball and I just finished it.”
Washougal registered the game’s first shot on goal in the first 10 minutes and seemed to make the best of their few chances, while Ridgefield dominated possession on the Washougal half of the field.
The Panthers committed to defending as Washougal dropped five players on their back line.
The Panthers had many shots on goal but failed to convert after keeping Ridgefield keeper Bryn Moloney busy.
But Washougal’s physical defending wound up costing them as the game progressed.
Monte Georgianna picked up yellow card with 30 minutes left in the match but a few minutes later his teammate Yorro Bah was cautioned.
With 12 minutes left Bah had a chance to equalize on a counter attack, but the ball went just wide of the post after chipping the ball over the head of Moloney.
The Panthers pushed forward by putting Bah in the front of the formation.
As Washougal charged forward, it opened up the door for the Spudders to put the nail in the coffin.
In stoppage time, it was Osborn who broke free once again before he was taken down by Brandon Rotundo in the penalty box.
Max Hauser took the penalty to seal the win for Ridgefield.
The Spudders will face 2A Greater St. Helens League rival Hockinson in the district championship match on Thursday.
Washougal now must win two loser-out matches to advance to state, starting Thursday against Black Hills of Tumwater.
