Riley Jones Huezo landed a pair of goals in the Woodland girls soccer home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 8, in the Beavers’ 2-0 victory over La Center High School.
For Jones Huezo, the two-goal performance continued a strong start to her senior campaign and helped Woodland move to 2-0 on the fresh season.
“I've been doing soccer my whole life and I really do think this season I'm going to prove myself for this sport,” Jones Huezo said. “I love this sport so much and it's all I want to do in life.”
Through two games, Jones Huezo has four goals.
The senior had already scored twice in Woodland’s season-opening win over Heritage, though both goals came on set pieces — one free kick and one penalty. Against La Center, Jones Huezo found the net twice from the run of play to give the Beavers the only goals they needed.
She said the start has been especially meaningful after an uneven high school career. Jones Huezo was able to finish her freshman season but was unable to complete her sophomore and junior seasons.
“But this year it's been a really good start,” she said.
The result also gave Woodland first-year head coach Paige Flanagan a successful debut on the Beavers’ home field.
Flanagan said she has been encouraged by the talent on the roster and, more importantly, the connection the players are developing with one another.
“I think we have fantastic talent that has shown up and showed out for Woodland,” Flanagan said. “I'm very excited for the connection that the girls are making on the field and off the field.”
The Beavers’ ambitions extend beyond simply getting off to a fast start. Flanagan said the goal is to sustain the early success and advance out of league play and make a postseason run, potentially all the way to the state tournament.
For now, though, Woodland is focused on building its identity one game at a time.
“We are just taking it game by game, learning how to play with each other, taking advantage of what's working well, and in practice attacking what we can improve upon,” Flanagan said.
That approach was evident against La Center, as the Wildcats provided the Beavers with a challenge that forced them to adjust throughout the match.
The competitive 2A Greater St. Helens League will likely provide plenty of similar tests as the season progresses, Flanagan said.
“Every game is an opportunity to show up and play your best soccer and compete at that high level,” she said.
Jones Huezo added that the home opener carried an added significance. Woodland is her hometown, and scoring twice in front of the home crowd made the occasion particularly special.
“I'm so forever blessed. Woodland's my hometown. I've been here all my life and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else,” she said.
She also sees a family atmosphere as one of the strengths of the program.
“Very hometown feel. Everyone's a family,” she said. “We're a 2A school so it's small but we love each other.”
The Beavers began league play against Mark Morris High School on Tuesday, Sept. 15, but results were unavailable as of press time. Woodland next hosts Ridgefield High School for a rivalry match on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.
The La Center Wildcats began their 1A Trico League journey on Thursday, Sept. 10 with a 2-1 win over the King's Way Knights. The Wildcats next hosted the Washougal Panthers on Saturday, Sept. 12, resulting in an 2-1 loss and the Columbia Bruins on Tuesday, Sept. 15, but results were unavailable at press time. La Center next travels to Stevenson High School on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.
