Prep Girls Soccer Roundup: Ross, Hollifield stack scores for Kelso, Kalama
Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com
Ross carries Kelso over Battle Ground
Karsyn Ross posted a brace for the Kelso girls soccer team, Thursday, in a 2-1 win over Battle Ground in 3A/4A Greater St. Helens League play at home on Schroeder Field.
Kelso fell behind by a score in the first five minutes, but settled in to hold the Tigers scoreless over the next 75 minutes and change. Makenna Fitzpatrick notched four saves between the pipes for the hosts.
“(We had) standout performances from Maya Buck and Sydnie Walters at center back tonight,” Kelso coach Kyle Tatro said.
Meanwhile, Ross was on the attack all evening with seven shots attempted. She netted the equalizer off an assist from Chace Doehne in the 29th minute and the match went to the intermission knotted at 1-1.
Kelso fans had to wait until the 64th minute to celebrate again. That’s when Landrew Giszler set Ross up with an assist on the go-ahead goal, and the Hilanders defense did the rest.
The K-Town kickers have gotten off to a hot start this season, with just one loss on their docket so far. Tatro noted that the team’s three center midfielders, Mikalah Boucher, Kalli Carter and Ross, have been instrumental to the operation so far.
Their early wins came against Adna (2B), Kalama (1A) and Mark Morris (2A). Now with a win over 4A Battle Ground under its belt, Kelso can begin to focus on its 3A GSHL opponents and how to best utilize its own personnel.
“We have a strong rotating attack with our front three players who press and make possession of the ball for the other team extremely difficult,” Tatro added. “And a strong performance in the defensive line anchored by Sydnie Walters and Maya Buck at center back.
Kelso (4-1) will get its league slate started next week when it hosts Prairie at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Woodland falls to Hockinson on last-minute mix up
Woodland was a victim of circumstance in a frenzied finish that saw Hockinson come away with a 1-0 win in 2A Greater St. Helens League girls soccer action Thursday night at Beaver Stadium
After playing the Hawks to a scoreless draw for nearly 80 minutes, Woodland coach Onesimo Sebastian was left grasping for an explanation for how things unraveled at the end.
“Not sure,” Sebastian admitted when trying to recall precisely who was credited with the goal. “It was a mix… I don’t even know how it was scored.”
Prior to that chaotic moment, goalkeeper Brooklyn Haden had notched five saves for the Beavers. And she had plenty of help on the back line to rebuff the Hawks so soundly for so long.
“Gracelyn Huffman, center back, was outstanding stopping a lot of promising threats,” Sebastian said.
Woodland (0-3-1, 0-2 league) will play at Columbia River on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Kalama’s Hollifield scores four to scorch Stevenson
It seems safe to say Bridgette Hollifield and the rest of the Kalama girls soccer team enjoyed their trip up the historic and scenic Columbia River gorge, Thursday. After all, what road trip wouldn’t be improved by a dominant road win over a new 1A League foe that included two hat tricks?
That’s exactly the scenario the Chinooks manifested when Hollifield posted four goals in a resounding 8-1 win at Stevenson.
In addition to her quartet of scores, Hollifield added two assists to her ledger, while Sienna DiCristina tallied three goals and a pair of assists.
Nevaeh Olinger added a goal for Kalama, and Jaiden Wright notched an assist.
Kalama goalkeeper Noel Ripp faced precious little pressure in the contest, posting just two saves in the win.
Kalama (2-2, 1-1 league) will play at Winlock on Monday at 6 p.m.
Just The Scores (Thursday)
Kelso 2, Battle Ground 1
R.A. Long 2, Mark Morris 0
Hockinson 1, Woodland 0
Kalama 8, Stevenson 1
Fort Vancouver 4, Castle Rock 1