The Spudders’ defense, the focus of that change, didn’t give up a single goal during four state playoff games. The Spudders outscored opponents 13-0 over that stretch.
“We had some changes midseason, but it was for the best, honestly,” Martin said. “Baylee came into the back and really stepped it up, gave us a leg back there and it was great.”
Bushnell, standing alongside Martin during an interview after Saturday’s championship game, quickly praised her teammate as well.
“The midfield, that was our missing piece too,” Bushnell said. “I think just switching us, we had the pieces all along, we just needed to switch them and it worked so good for us.”
It was an unselfish move from two players who have been mainstays with the program since their freshmen season in 2021 when Ridgefield reached the 2A state semifinals, the first of three final four runs in a four-year stretch.
Ridgefield coach Steven Evans emphasized the fact that the decision was led by players as much as coaches. The Spudders have worked to instill autonomy among players, and Evans believes the program’s culture is stronger as a result.
“It was a great transition for us. Both do amazing at both roles,” Evans said. “But from what we saw and what we discussed with the team — a lot of the decisions we do come from the team. I think the best teams are led by players, so (we) definitely rely on them to make those decisions too.”
Ridgefield’s success defending late in the season was a collective effort among all 11 players on the field.
At goalkeeper, junior Tyler Merlock, a three-year varsity player, and sophomore Opal Ruddy both played with confidence in a 50-50 split.
An all-senior back line of Marseille Edwards, Bushnell, Brielle Suomi and Alyssa Carney had the discipline to stay organized and compact with plenty of speed to push forward when necessary.
Workmanlike efforts in the midfield led by senior captains Martin and Abigail Vance also translated to the team’s forward positions, where seniors like Tori Lasch and Marlee Buffham routinely pressured opponents by running back to defend.
“It takes a whole team defending,” Evans said, “and I think that’s what we’ve done.”
Ridgefield scored just 10 minutes into Saturday’s game when Buffham delivered a cross toward Lasch that bounced into Columbia River’s net for an own goal.
The result stood for the remaining 70 minutes plus stoppage time, as the Spudders turned to that brick wall of a defense.
Columbia River’s two best scoring chances in the second half came on mishandled clearances near Ridgefield’s penalty area. In both instances, Ruddy rushed in to kick the ball out, including the 78th minute when Columbia River’s Peyton Dukes and Makayla Hundt made a run at the ball.
The latter play allowed the Spudders to hold possession for much of the final few minutes until the final whistle sounded and players ran to each other and fell into a dogpile on the turf field — a storybook ending for the Spudders and their nine seniors.
“It’s awesome, not many people can say they’re repeating two (time) state champs,” Martin said.
“And (for) all the girls that this is their last time stepping on the field, it’s just so important for us to win that for them,” Bushnell added. “It feels so good.”
