In their bid to remain atop the Class 2A girls soccer ranks, the Ridgefield Spudders have done their best to stay on an even keel.
“I think we keep our highs low and lows high,” Ridgefield senior Marlee Buffham said. “That’s our mindset.”
The oft-repeated mantra from Ridgefield coach Steven Evans served the Spudders well when they lost to rival Columbia River in September — their only loss of the season to this point — and the rematch one month later when they downed the Rapids in a penalty kick shootout.
Ridgefield’s latest win, a 2-0 win over River in Saturday’s Class 2A District 4 championship game at John O’Rourke Field, came with little fanfare. After the Spudders (19-1-1) celebrated their second consecutive district title, the defending state champions’ focus quickly turned to next week’s 2A state tournament.
“For us, the message a lot of the year has been … there’s a little bit more in the tank every game,” Evans said.
“It’s the same mentality tonight. We had a strong performance, but I think our goal is that state championship and I think the girls are aligned with that. They’re hungry for more and hungry to improve.”
Days after scoring three second-half goals in a district semifinal win against Tumwater, Ridgefield also opened Saturday’s game as the aggressor.
The Spudders struck first on an unassisted Savvy Semlick goal in the seventh minute when the sophomore regained possession, dribbled up the right corner and lofted a shot over River’s goalkeeper into the net.
“We wanted to be first to every ball, just come out very strong and prove how we are,” Ridgefield senior Tori Lasch said.
Lasch added a goal 15 minutes into the second half when the forward broke through the Rapids’ defense for an unassisted close-range shot.
The Spudders’ speedy attack spearheaded by Lasch, Buffham and Ellie Wilson had the Rapids on their heels, while their defense plus goalkeepers Tyler Merlock and Opal Ruddy combined for the team’s 10th shutout of the season.
“It feels amazing. We’ve been working so hard all year, pushing all year to finally get this,” Lasch said.
For two seasons in a row, River has defeated Ridgefield in the teams’ first meeting only for the Spudders to make the right adjustments to win rematches later in the season. With Saturday’s rubber match, Ridgefield has won three of the last four games against River dating back to last year’s state semifinals when the Spudders won en route to capturing the program’s first state title.
“Over the years it’s just proof of us getting stronger as a team and a program,” Buffham said. “We keep putting it away.”
Ridgefield and River, along with fellow 2A Greater St. Helens League teams Hockinson and R.A. Long, have all qualified for the 2A state tournament. Brackets will be released Sunday.
“Our goal, at the end of the day, is a state championship, and this is just another box to check off,” Buffham said. “We did the same thing last year. It’s just another mark.”
RIDGEFIELD 2, COLUMBIA RIVER 0
Ridgefield
Goals (assists) — Savvy Semlick (unassisted), Tori Lasch (unassisted). Goalkeeper saves — Tyler Merlock 2, Opal Ruddy 3. Match standout — Semlick.
Columbia River
Goalkeeper saves — Ruby Ayers 5.
Halftime — 1-0
