RIDGEFIELD — On the surface, Ridgefield’s 2A state first-round performance was pure domination.
In the postgame huddle afterward, the Spudders girls soccer team instead worried about the road ahead, knowing Tuesday night was far from their A-game.
If Tuesday’s 3-0 drubbing of Sequim (11-7-1) wasn’t Ridgefield (16-4) at its best, the final eight teams should be wary of the Southwest District champions.
“This is effectively our season three, so it’s just resetting the mentality,” Ridgefield coach Robby Trimbo said. “It definitely felt like a new season tonight after coming off of the game against (Columbia) River. That was such an emotionally-taxing game; I think it just takes a little time to reset yourselves.”
From the opening kickoff, it was all Ridgefield.
Annika Farley directed the attack from a higher striking position, showing her versatility after tasked with playing in a defensive midfielder role in a 2-1 win over Columbia River less than a week prior.
“With Annika, it’s a matter of where we can get her on the ball more,” Trimbo said. “Sometimes that dictates where she can be most effective for us.”
What Ridgefield excelled at in the midfield, the Spudders lacked in the attacking third. Against a Wolves’ side dead-set on packing the defense, Ridgefield failed to find a decisive finishing touch. In the 27th minute, the Spudders mustered just their second shot on goal, as Taylor Hope curled one into the near post for a 1-0 lead.
“I definitely we knew we had to get one before halftime,” Hope said. “Especially just to carry the momentum over. It really helped us in the second half.”
Ridgefield dominated the second half in similar fashion, but couldn’t add another through 30 minutes as the Spudders clung to a 1-0 advantage.
Elizabeth Farley had to make a header save in the 60th minute off a Sequim free kick to keep the lead.
In the 72nd, Annika Farley converted a penalty kick to seal the victory. Brooke Weese added the icing three minutes later by finishing a cross from Alyssa Dewey.
“The last time we were in this position was our freshman year,” Annika Farley said. “It’s kind of a big deal, and it’s really special to us.”
The Spudders play Port Angeles (16-2-1), who beat Sehome 3-1 Tuesday, in the quarterfinals on Saturday at home. Kickoff time was still to be determined late Tuesday night. Ridgefield is searching for its first state semifinal appearance since 2015.
“Our preparation needs to be better, much better,” Trimbo said. “At this point of the year, attitude is everything. If they are complacent, or not as prepared as they need to be for the magnitude of competition, there’s going to be a lot of heartbreak.”
