Ridgefield hauls in elusive WIAA 2A state girls soccer title in shootout
TACOMA, Wash. - Ridgefield High School's girls’ soccer team was knocking at the door of a state title for the past decade. On Saturday, the Class 2A trophy finally got some potato flair for its placard base.
The Spudders won 3-2 over West Valley of Spokane in a penalty shootout at Mount Tahoma Stadium, capturing the program’s first state title.
It was the fifth state final four in the past nine years for Ridgefield, which has had three different coaches in that span. They finished fourth in 2021, third in 2014 and 2019, and runner-up in 2015.
On Saturday night against undefeated West Valley, the Spudders refused to play second fiddle once more.
“I just think that bond we have,” junior Brielle Suomi said of why this was the group to lift the title. “These are our best friends. It’s so cool to see us come together like this.”
The Eagles opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Ashlyn Chase headed down a free kick cross from Genesis Willis. Ridgefield responded in the 58th minute with a Brielle Suomi header goal from an Ella Rorabaugh corner kick. It was only the fifth goal the Eagles allowed on the year.
Just eight minutes later, the Eagles were back on top after Kyia Silva tapped in a whipped cross from Lauren Matthew. Ridgefield sent the game to extra time with an 18-yard slotted goal from Ellie Wilson off an assist by Madison Ruddy.
After a pair of scoreless overtime periods, Spudders goalkeeper Gabriela Semlick made two saves and the Eagles missed a pair of shots to put the Ridgefield side into a frenzied joy as they embraced one another.
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SEATTLE ACADEMY DETHRONES 1A CHAMPION KLAHOWYA
Photo by Joshua Hart
Seattle Academy senior Sydney Lennard admits she’s not much of a goal scorer. But with the ball bouncing between a swarm of bodies in the penalty area, Lennard pounded home a goal with conviction to lift the Cardinals to a 2-1 victory over defending champion Klahowya in the 1A title game.
“I’m so proud of this team,” Lennard said. “We’ve come a long way since the beginning of this season.”
Lennard’s 69th-minute goal was the final blow in a back-and-forth physical contest featuring two of 1A soccer’s heavyweights. The Cardinals now have six state titles since 2005. Klahowya, in its seventh final four since 1999, settles for the program’s first second-place finish. The Eagles had won their previous three appearances in the championship game.
Cardinals junior Isla McNae got the scoring started in the 17th minute, converting from the penalty spot.
It wasn’t until the 58th minute when Klahowya answered. After Amira Lyons was fouled just outside the penalty area, ninth grader Addyson Dickey found the back of the net on the ensuing free kick.
But the Eagles’ lead lasted just 11 minutes as the rain fell upon Mount Tahoma Stadium. And shortly before 8 p.m., the Cardinals — led by coach and former Seattle Sounders player Brad Evans — were lifting hardware once again.
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