The odds were stacked against Ridgefield.
Columbia River girls soccer had won 25 of its past 26 games, were an undefeated 17-0 on the season and entered Thursday’s 2A district championship game as three-time winners of the tournament.
The ensuing 80 minutes had the components of another crowning moment in a decade of Chieftain success. The Spudders, instead, made it a dethroning, a welcoming in of a new era.
For the first time in four years, a new district champion was crowned as Ridgefield toppled Columbia River 2-1 at Chieftain Stadium. It’s Ridgefield’s first district title since 2015.
“Everything,” coach Robby Trimbo said. “It means everything.”
The Spudders (15-4) prepared all season for the moment, and even with three freshmen in the starting lineup, they executed a gameplan specifically designed to stymie the Chieftains: Sink the midfielders back, wait for an attacking moment and capitalize on any chances.
Junior Alyssa Dewey didn’t miss her opportunity, netting the game’s first goal in the 20th minute when she punched in an Annika Farley free kick for a 1-0 lead. Then it was a lot of defending.
Freshmen defenders Emily Johnson and Ella Krause continued their impressive rookie campaigns, thwarting a Chieftain attack that averaged more than four goals a game.
“They did a phenomenal job to step up against River’s forwards,” Trimbo said of his outside defenders. “That’s crazy to me.”
Columbia River (17-1) still peppered Ridgefield goalkeeper Paige Jones. She finished with 15 saves, including three in the first two minutes of the second half.
Columbia River eventually tied the game in the 63rd minute when Luci Ianello lasered a 28-yard shot into the far corner.
The talented Chieftains were poised to once again tack another placard onto the district trophy. Columbia River hadn’t allowed two goals in a game since Oct. 23, 2018, a string of 25 straight matches.
The young, scrappy Spudders had different ideas. In the 72nd minute, a passing combination put the ball at freshman Claire Jones’ feet. Remember the gameplan? The Spudders had to make the most of their chances.
She ripped a 30-yard shot that flew over the hands of River keeper Allison Countryman, who made three saves on the night.
Her teammates dog-piled her, “she’s a freshman” chants roared into the clear night sky, and the Spudders held off the last-gasp attacks from River to seal the victory.
“Honestly, it’s kind of a blur,” Claire Jones said. “What brought it up was just beautiful. I was in the right spot to shoot it. I’ve been working on those and wanting to take farther shots. For it to be able to go in, it feels really good.”
The Spudders now turn their sights toward the state tournament, where they have a chance to host the first two rounds. Their state run will start with the winner of Saturday’s Sequim-Port Angeles game.
Columbia River will have a harder road to a fourth straight state semifinal appearance, starting on the road against the loser of Saturday’s Fife-White River game.
