Ridgefield High School’s girls soccer team returned to the win column on Thursday, Oct. 1, with a 1-0 victory over the Hockinson Hawks in a tightly contested league matchup.
The Spudders and Hawks entered halftime scoreless before Ridgefield found a breakthrough in the second half. Layla Gilliam scored the lone goal of the match off an assist from Aurora Horning.
Horning was also named Ridgefield’s player of the game by the coaching staff for her performance.
Spudder head coach Mallory Hall said the victory was an important step for a team navigating an incredibly competitive 2A Greater St. Helens League and working to find consistency.
“It was a step in the right direction, you know,” Hall said. “Getting back in the win column is always important, and riding the wave of the season is kind of where we're at right now, and learning that this is a very competitive league and every team is going to show up and battle to the end. … It was a good learning environment for my girls and just trying to string together one at a time right now.”
The win came during a season Hall described as a mix of highs and lows, with Ridgefield showing the ability to compete in some of its biggest games while also searching for greater consistency.
“I think it's kind of those highs and lows. We have shown up for some really big games and played incredible, and then some moments where taking what we're given for granted and not showing up, and it's that consistency piece,” Hall said.
Hall added the program is also leaning on its upperclassmen to help maintain the culture Ridgefield has built over the years.
“Again trying to build, continuing to build on that winning culture that this program has had over the years and leaning on our juniors and seniors who have been a part of the program when they won state championships, and trying to instill that into our younger kids,” Hall said.
The competitive nature of the 2A GSHL has made each match important, Hall said. She believes the depth of talent could make the league a factor deep into the postseason.
“I think at the end of the day I would not be surprised if the state champion is in this league, and there's four or five of us that it could really be,” Hall said. “The talent is deep. There's a lot of great coaching going on in this league and it shows, and it's awesome to be a part of and to get to watch great soccer every single night.”
Hall also pointed to the depth of her own roster as an important factor to the Spudders’ 6-2 start to the season. She credited Spudders’ senior goalkeeper Opal Ruddy and the entire midfield for providing stability while noting that different players have stepped up throughout the season.
“I love that it's not just one person. I love that it's a lot of people that are putting in that effort and because it helps if somebody's having an off night it's not just all on them but they can rely on somebody else to pick them up and put the ball in the back of the net if we need to,” Hall said.
Hall said Ridgefield’s focus will remain on the next practice and the next opponent rather than looking too far ahead. Hall said the talk each night is that every game and practice is deliberate and meaningful.
Hall said the team has aspirations for the remainder of the season but emphasized the importance of remaining focused.
That mindset is the most important step for the Spudders this year.
“So, I think it's just that continued conversation of one practice at a time, one game at a time, and then we'll deal with the next team after that,” Hall said. “And so again, it's hard not to dream, and I know my girls have big aspirations, but it's keeping them grounded and we'll cross those teams when we get to them.”
The Ridgefield Spudders played Hudson’s Bay High School on Tuesday, Oct. 6, but results were unavailable at press time. The Spudders next play Washougal High School at home on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.
The Hockinson Hawks played Columbia River High School on Tuesday, Oct. 6, followed up with a home match against R.A. Long High School on Thursday, Oct. 8.
