The Woodland Beavers girls soccer team is rising to the occasion game after game, having now survived their biggest test against a top-ranked 2A squad in the Ridgefield Spudders.
The Ridgefield Spudders quickly established themselves as one of the area’s toughest opponents after beating 4A schools Camas and Skyview in their 3-0 start to the season.
But first-year Woodland girls soccer head coach Paige Flanagan saw plenty to like in her squad’s 1-0 performance against the Spudders on Thursday, Sept. 17.
The Beavers landed at 4-0 on the season after Sept. 17 thanks in part to the foot of senior forward Riley Jones Huezo, who capitalized on a second-half penalty kick in the win over Ridgefield.
The Beavers improved to 5-0 on the season after a nonleague matchup against the Mountain View Thunder on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Sept. 17 2A Greater St. Helens League matchup provided Woodland with another opportunity to test itself against a team capable of controlling possession and creating pressure throughout the field. Despite Ridgefield’s attacking ability, Woodland’s defense helped keep the game within reach.
“An amazing, amazing result for a hard-fought game. Ridgefield is a powerhouse,” Flanagan said. “Their ability to keep possession, find feet, attack as a team. I mean, shout out to our defenders.”
Woodland’s back line played a major role in keeping Ridgefield from finding the back of the net, with the goalkeeper, defenders and holding midfielder combining to establish a strong defensive foundation, Flanagan said.
“They were a brick wall that allowed us to hold Rally (McReynolds) a shutout for another game,” Flanagan said.
The challenge also exposed areas Woodland will need to improve as the season progresses. Flanagan said Ridgefield’s movement through the midfield forced Woodland to adjust constantly and maintain a higher level of awareness.
“We got a little bit lost in the midfield. They were very dynamic with their movement in the midfield,” Flanagan said. “They challenged us to be constantly checking our shoulders, being aware of the game.”
Woodland has emphasized composure and possession during the week, working on settling the ball, finding teammates’ feet and creating opportunities through movement away from the ball.
“I think collectively as a group, we worked on composure this week,” Flanagan said. “How are we being able to settle the ball, keep possession, find feet, find the through ball, movement off the ball?”
The next step for Woodland will be continuing to develop its chemistry. Flanagan said the team has plenty of talent, but learning how to consistently play together remains a major part of the process.
“We have a lot of great talent that is learning to work together and play together and play off of each other,” Flanagan said. “And I think each day we are constantly learning what a specific player tends to do.”
That development is taking place within a program Flanagan said continues to reflect Woodland’s identity.
“They portray the ‘Woodland Way’ through and through,” Flanagan said. “And it’s very cool.”
That identity was also visible in the support from the community, as Woodland athletes and students came out to support the team.
“It shows a lot of support throughout the whole community so that each program is supporting and building upon each other,” Flanagan said.
The Beavers’ next test came by way of the Columbia River Rapids on Tuesday, Sept. 22, but results were unavailable at press time. Woodland hosts R.A. Long High School on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.
The Spudders next played Mark Morris on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Those results were unavailable at press time. Ridgefield next hosts Columbia River High School on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.
