BREMERTON — An early deficit was too much for the Port Angeles girls soccer team to overcome in a 2-1 District 2/3 play-in loss to Orting at Silverdale Stadium.
“We started really slow,” Roughriders coach Scott Moseley said of Tuesday’s match.
“We had trouble passing and settling the ball on the [artificial] turf. They took advantage of that.”
The Cardinals scored twice in one minute halfway through the first half.
First, Orting scored on a corner kick when an unmarked player hit it past the Port Angeles (10-7) defense.
A minute later, a low Orting cross was accidentally hit into the goal by a Riders defender.
Port Angeles cut the Cardinals lead to 2-1 just before halftime.
Mia DelGuzzi-Flores nicely played a ball to forward Sierra Robinson, who easily outran the Orting defense, then sent the ball past the keeper.
It was the Robinson’s eighth goal of the season.
“Sierra is such a threat with her speed, but she’s a total soccer player,” Moseley said.
“One-on-one with a goalie can be difficult, but she calmly was up to the task.”
The second half was even as Riders goalie Madelyn Wenzl stopped some close-range shots and Port Angeles forwards just missing with shots of their own.
The Riders and Cardinals each managed 14 shots, but Port Angeles had the edge in shots on goal 13 to 7.
“In the end, it wasn’t enough, and Orting advances to play Fife, while Port Angeles’ season comes to a sad end,” Moseley said.
Moseley pointed out the team’s successes on the season.
The Riders’ 10 victories are the program’s most in 15 seasons, and the third-most in 29 seasons.
They scored 45 goals, the most for the team in 15 years, and defeated two defending state champions in 1B Crosspoint and 1A Klahowya.
Orting advances to play Fife in the district playoffs.
It was the final game for Riders’ seniors Maddie Boe, Madison St. George, Emma Smith and Patricia Polo.
“All the seniors put team above personal glory, goals or position,” Moseley said.
“All were playing positons that led to less scoring but more defense.
“They all accepted that because that was what the team needed.
“The bonus was that the team thrived with them in those positions. They are excellent players, but better teammates.”
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Compiled using team reports.
