RIDGEFIELD – The Ridgefield boys soccer team had one thought in its head – The team’s streak of eight consecutive state playoffs berths wasn’t going to end Saturday.
To make sure it didn’t, the Spudders used their heads.
Ridgefield beat Hockinson 4-0 to claim third place and the final berth to state in the Class 2A District 4 tournament.
Three of Ridgefield’s four goals came on headers. Those included Travis Gottsch’s goal after just five minutes, which set the tone for Saturday’s win at Ridgefield High.
“It was something we talked about before the game, just coming out and winning from the get-go,” Gottsch said. “It’s something that has bitten us in the past.”
Ridgefield (13-5-1) will play a first-round game on the road against the No. 3 seed from District 3, either Kingston or Highline, likely on Tuesday.
A state quarterfinalist the past two years, Ridgefield is headed to state with plenty of confidence. The Spudders have outscored their last two opponents 9-0 after losing to Aberdeen in the district semifinals.
“We’re peaking at the right time,” senior Jacob Neil said. “Everybody is working together and really fighting to keep on going. We don’t want the season to end, especially now.”
Ridgefield and Hockinson split two Greater St. Helens League games this season. The decisive match was a decisive margin indeed.
Ridgefield doubled its lead two minutes before halftime. Gottsch’s corner kick found the head of a leaping Ethan Wirchak, who scored from seven yards out.
Ridgefield took a 3-0 lead two minutes after halftime. Gottsch won the ball in the left corner, then passed to a leaping Neil. The defender’s header went into the goal’s upper-left corner.
That was more than enough offense for a Spudders defense that allowed just two shots on goal.
Which did Neil relish more, his first goal of the season or the shutout?
“The shutout for sure because it’s a team thing,” he said. “I don’t want it to be just me. I want us to work together and get that win.”
Andrew Poppert scored Ridgefield’s fourth goal with 16 minutes left. He tapped in a ball that Hockinson’s goalkeeper couldn’t corral.
Hockinson (8-12-0) reached Saturday’s third-place match by winning two consecutive loser-out games 2-1 in penalty-kick shootouts.
Saturday, Ridgefield made sure that a tense finish wasn’t going to happen.
“We came out firing from the beginning,” Neil said. “Once we get a couple goals at the beginning, we get more confidence and keep working as a team.”
RIDGEFIELD 4, HOCKINSON 0
Hockinson
Goalkeeper saves – Tanner Hough 5, Sam Morris 1.
Ridgefield
Goals (assists) – Travis Gottsch (Riley Abrams), Ethan Wirchak (Gottsch), Jacob Neil (Gottsch), Andrew Poppert (unassisted). Goalkeeper saves – Joe Lindbo 2.
Halftime – 2-0.
