FIFE — Sure, the Ridgefield boys soccer team was hoping to spring another surprise on Saturday.
But against a skilled and together team of Fife Trojans, the Spudders season ended with a 4-1 loss in the Class 2A state quarterfinals. Ridgefield’s season ended with 14 wins, seven losses and a 2A Greater St. Helens League championship. Fife (18-1) advances to play Othello in the state semifinals.
“This was a great year for us. We lost 12 seniors last year and I don’t think too many people believed in us,” said junior Max Hauser, who scored the Ridgefield goal on Saturday. “We made a good run.”
Fife’s ability to control the ball and play one-touch passes set the tone for the game almost from the start. The Trojans led 3-0 by halftime and made it 4-0 on Brian Flores’ third goal of the game four minutes after halftime.
Hauser scored with 13 minutes left, poking a low shot off the inside of the right post off after a flick header from senior Liam Knoeppel. The Spudders managed a couple of more shots but were unable to create any consistent trouble.
“They had a really good attack. I’ll give credit to them,” Ridgefield central defender Justin Stay said. “They played a good game, but I don’t think it should have been that high of a score.”
The first goal, in the 11th minute, was one the Spudder defense could have prevented. Flores was able to get to a long forward ball as it bounced near the top of the penalty area and power it past closing goalkeeper Bryn Moloney.
Flores made it 2-0 with a strong turn and finish in the box in the 27th minute, then Christian Gubsch headed home a Ruben Acevedo cross in the 30th minute to make it 3-0 Trojans.
Fife also had two goals wiped away by offside calls in the first half. The third Flores goal was a clean header off a corner kick delivered by playmaker Axel Mejia. At 4-0 with 36 minutes left, the Trojans were on their way.
This Ridgefield team featured only five seniors. Stay, who shifted from goalkeeper to center back this season to fill a need, said he enjoyed the opportunity to play in the field — and to develop friendships.
“It was probably one of the most fun years I’ve had. I got to bond with a lot of new people, fun people to bond with,” Stay said.
Stay added that he is looking forward to watching the program develop next season.
“The chemistry is good. I think next year they’ll be a tough team to beat,” Stay said.
Hauser agreed.
“I think the message is we didn’t get what we wanted, but that doesn’t make the season a disappointment,” he said. “It was a very progressive season. So many people got better.”
That improvement, and experiences such as Saturday’s against a top-flight opponent, bodes well for the future of Spudder soccer.
“This is just a start — the start of a new era really,” Hauser said “We’ll be back next year. This really gave us confidence for next year.”
FIFE 4, RIDGEFIELD 1
Ridgefield (14-7)
Goal (assist) — Max Hauser (Liam Knoeppel). Goalkeeper saves — Bryn Moloney 7.
Fife (18-1)
Goals (assists) — Brian Flores (unassisted), Flores (unassisted), Christian Gubsch (Ruben Acevedo), Flores (Axel Mejia). Goalkeeper saves – Julian Tafola 3, Colton Honey 2.
Halftime — Fife 3-0.
