RIDGEFIELD — The Hockinson girls soccer team is the champion of the Class 2A Greater St. Helens League in girls soccer.
So, too, is Ridgefield.
Columbia River might join them.
But for now, after Tuesday’s match, the Hawks are the ones who are celebrating.
Hockinson shut out the Spudders 1-0 Tuesday night to complete the 2A GSHL season with a 10-2 record, stopping the Spudders from winning the title outright.
Trinity Paulsen had a first-half goal for the Hawks and goalkeeper Jenna Talarico and the Hockinson defense kept the Spudders out of the net to claim a share of the title.
“Every year, Ridgefield is a really insane game for us,” Talarico said. “We spend weeks preparing to play them. Playing our game while beating them is the best thing that could have happened. Everyone worked really hard together. It was really fun to watch.”
She did a lot more than watch, of course.
Talarico had 10 saves, including one with about five minutes remaining when she punched a shot by Hockinson’s Holly Chan just barely over the crossbar, preserving the lead.
The Spudders applied more pressure in the closing minutes, but the Hockinson defenders were too strong.
Freshman Kenny Carter had a tough clear on a crossing play that got beyond Talarico’s reach.
“I definitely trust them with everything, and they trust me,” Talarico said of her teammates.
Paulsen’s goal, coming in the 32nd minute, came momentarily after a Hockinson corner kick. While the initial threat was neutralized, Ridgefield failed to clear the ball completely out of danger.
The ball found its way to Paulsen, who dribbled around a defender and surprised herself with where she ended up: Just in front of the goal.
“I was looking to pass it in the box, the far post,” Paulsen explained. “I was spinning. I just saw the shot, and I found the goal.
“It was really exciting to score against Ridgefield. They’re our biggest rival,” she said. “Honestly, it was a team effort. We played hard and we played for each other.”
The Hawks did not fall back into defensive mode, constantly challenging Ridgefield in the first 30 minutes of the second half. The Spudders, though, got more aggressive in the closing minutes.
“It got a little frantic at the end,” Paulsen said. “We all got back and got the job done.”
Now the Hawks and Spudders wait to see if Columbia River will join them as league champions. The Chieftains take on Washougal on Wednesday. They need a win to get to 10-2 as well.
