The Ridgefield boys soccer team continued its late-season surge with a key 3-0 victory over R.A. Long High School on Friday, May 1.
The Spudders’ only needed goal came by Ethan Sigman in the first half, but, keeping the pedal down and aggressive offense going, Andres Oliva and Grant Platta added second half goals in the win against R.A. Long.
Ridgefield head coach Jake Roberts said the win reflects a team beginning to peak at the right moment.
“The boys fought hard. I’m really proud of them,” Roberts said. “I feel like we’re starting to click at the right time during the season.”
After a matchup earlier in the season against the R.A. Long Lumberjacks that required a quick comeback effort, Roberts noted this performance on May 1 had a much different tone.
“They put us under pressure, certainly, on those long balls, and they have speed up front,” he said. “It took a little bit, but we got organized. I’m really proud of them.”
As the narrow 1-0 result would have been enough, Ridgefield continued to press offensively, keeping the organized tone on the offensive side of the field. Roberts credited his team’s mindset for sustaining that effort.
“It says a lot about their mentality,” he said. “A 0-0 mentality every time they score. As 16-, 17-year-old boys, they’re still being professionals out there and handling their business and not letting up.”
Leadership has also played a critical role in Ridgefield’s recent success, particularly from standout goalkeeper Hendrix Flick. Flick’s presence has helped stabilize the team on both ends of the field with his vocal leadership.
“Hendo’s a very special kid,” Roberts said. “He’s just always communicating. He’s caring for the guys. He’s bringing them up when they need to, and he makes big plays when he needs to.”
The win mattered significantly in league standings as the Spudders secured an important edge in the race for positioning. The win for the Spudders propels them to a game ahead of the Lumberjacks for third place in the 2A Greater St. Helens League with just a game to go for Ridgefield.
“It’s absolutely critical because I understand it’s head-to-head as a tiebreaker,” Roberts said. “So that secures our spot.”
While results were not available at press time, the Spudders' known schedule included just one more game against Hudson’s Bay High School on Tuesday, May 5. Now, focus is quickly shifting toward postseason play. Ridgefield’s recent performances include a major 1-0 win over the top team in the 2A GSHL: Columbia River High School. The win over the Columbia River Rapids on Friday, April 24, has fueled belief inside the Spudder locker room.
“There’s nothing that these guys don’t think they can accomplish right now,” Roberts said.
Rather than looking too far ahead, the Spudders are embracing a simple approach heading into the playoffs.
“Survive and advance,” Roberts said. “I’m excited to get in without having to play the pigtail, so we’ll be a little bit more rested in that match.”
The Spudders will begin their postseason journey in the 2A District 4 tournament on the road on Saturday, May 9, but matchups were not assigned as of press time.
