RIDGEFIELD — The Ridgefield girls soccer team is on their way to the 2A state semifinals after a 2-0 win over Shorecrest on Saturday.
Last year, Ridgefield was on the opposite end of the result, as Shorecrest beat the Spudders to advance to the state finals.
Madison Ochoa was a junior then, but as a senior she and the rest of the team were able to clinch the victory.
Ochoa netted her first goal of the match in the 22nd minute on an awkward play inside the opposing teams’ six-yard box. The ball bounced around multiple times before Erin Siegel slid and Ochoa tapped it in for the early lead.
“Everybody was working really hard to get them,” Ochoa said. “In the moment I was just in front of the goal and those are the one or two chances in the game that happen that you should finish.”
In the 68th minute, Taryn Ries got past the last defender on the right side and perfectly placed a ball for Ochoa in the middle of the box for her second of the game.
“We were really excited for this game to get another chance at them,” Ochoa said. “Last year, towards the end of the game, we were getting back into it with more experience. Now we had another chance and we took care of it.”
Shorecrest held possession the majority of the first half and had the first opportunity five minutes in. Sophia Viviano crossed the ball and Emily Hicks put it just over the crossbar.
“We were frantic at first but we try to adjust to the game for whatever’s needed,” Ries said. “If we need to play possession or play it over if that works for the game then we just try to adjust. In the second half we were relaxed more and found our way and played our game.”
The Highlanders were not without chances of their own. They had four shots on goal in the second half, but most were from outside the penalty box and Ridgefield keeper Sarah Kaufman was able to corral them with ease. Kaufman finished with six saves, four in the second half.
“It feels awesome,” Ries said. “I’m so happy, I’m so proud of all the girls. How hard we worked all season. I’m so proud of everyone.”
