Early in the second half on Tuesday, the Columbia River boys soccer team found itself in an unusual position.
For the first time since March 22, the Chieftains were trailing in a match.
It wouldn’t stay that way for long.
Columbia River scored two goals within two minutes of falling behind. Julian Villa-Salas scored a hat trick and the Chieftains eventually beat Centralia 4-1 in the 2A district semifinals.
Columbia River (17-0-1) will face Woodland for the district title on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Columbia River. The win also clinches a return to the state playoffs for the reigning 2A state champions.
Columbia River outscored its 2A Greater St. Helens League opponents 58-3 over 12 matches. The Chieftains hadn’t trailed since their final non-league match, a 2-2 draw against 4A Skyview.
But after missing several good scoring chances in the first half, the host Chieftains fell behind with 31 minutes left. Centralia’s Alex Alvarenga converted a penalty kick after he was pulled down in front of the goal.
“Once that went in, we realized that we really have to step it up because it was the first time in a long time that we’ve been challenged,” Villa-Salas said.
Shortly after the ensuing kickoff, Maksim Yurichko tied the match when he headed in a cross from Marcos Diaz.
One minute later, Villa-Salas gave River the lead with a low shot inside the left post.
“We let them into this game more than we should have,” Villa-Salas said. “We definitely put our foot on the gas.”
Villa-Salas added two more goals, one with seven minutes to play and another with under two minutes left.
Though Columbia River kept its composure on Tuesday, the Chieftains took the game as a warning ahead of the state playoffs.
“This game really woke us up,” Diaz said. “It made us realize that the rest of the games are going to be exactly like this.”
“We learned that if we don’t come out and play to our standard, it could end badly,” Villa-Salas said. “Luckily, we were able to pull it back, but maybe another team wouldn’t let that happen.”
COLUMBIA RIVER 4, CENTRALIA 1
Centralia
Goals (assists) — Alex Alvarenga (PK).
Columbia River
Goals (assists) — Maksim Yurichko (Marcos Diaz), Julian Villa-Salas (Diaz), Villa-Salas (Jake Connop), Villa-Salas (unassisted). Goalkeeper saves — Miles Miranda 3.
Halftime — 0-0.
