As far as important matchups go, all the Kentridge Chargers girls soccer team has left for the 2024 NPSL season are important preparations for the postseason.
On Oct. 22, the Chargers took on Tahoma, and the two sides left with a 1-1 draw. But after conceding first against a team that just doesn’t allow goals, the Chargers were up against it.
“This was a rivalry game. We know that and I think they look at it that way. There is a lot of energy, emotion and physicality and we saw that tonight. Both teams played hard,” Manager Jeff Flemming said.
Kentridge is sitting in first place with two games remaining with a record of 9-0-5 (7-0-5) with a total of 26 points, two more than 4A NPSL newcomer Stadium High School.
Keeping that unbeaten record is definitely on the minds of the Kentridge players in their second consecutive regular season without a loss.
In the matchup against Tahoma, it was going to be low scoring. Whoever scored the first goal had more than a good chance at taking all three points. Tahoma hadn’t allowed a goal since Sept. 24, and has recorded shutouts in nine of their 11 games this season.
Kentridge also doesn’t allow goals. After the draw against Tahoma, the goals against average for the Chargers is 0.6 goals per game. The Bears are at 0.3, and that is after allowing a goal against the Chargers. Before the 1-1 draw, their goals against was a mere 0.18.
“We knew what we were getting ourselves into. It has always been a rivalry between us. We know their defenders are really good … We just needed to have a sense mindfulness when we are playing,” Senior Sierra Wallace said.
“Their defense is incredible. Defenses don’t get much better than this,” Wallace added.
Interestingly enough, this was the first game Tahoma had played in where both teams scored.
When it came to the goals, Kentridge senior goalkeeper Alexis Natividad probably felt like she could save the shot 10/10 times. But this one just passed her outstretched arms. After a corner and two failed clearances, senior forward Addison Ringhiser beat Natividad with height.
Natividad landed awkwardly, needing the trainer, but persevered to stay in the game — then came up with one of the biggest saves of the Chargers’ season in stoppage time.
“That was a fight. She gave everything she had to lift off… It was either one point, or three points the other way,” Flemming said.
Her teammates know that she is a warrior. Natividad was even helped off the field after the game. But she gave her all on the field.
“She’s just always had that grit to her. No matter what has happened to her, she is willing to make any sacrifice for our team. We are so lucky to have her. I’m so glad to have played all four years with her, she’s amazing,” Wallace said.
Tahoma’s lead lasted just three minutes before Kentridge found an answer. The Chargers were trying everything, and Addie Stendera hit a beautiful free kick, but Tahoma keeper Simone Bennett made one of the more impressive saves Flemming had seen.
But the Kentridge goal came from seemingly nothing. All game, the Chargers had been looking for a precise attack with a run in behind the defense, or a cross into the box. But Tiana Stephenson sent a long ball high into the night sky. After jockeying for position, Wallace found the ball and space, she sent the ball into the back of the net. The Kentridge sidelines and stands were sent into elation.
“It was so euphoric, it really felt like I was floating… Making my team feel good and making us more confident was the best part of it,” Wallace said.
Making a goal like that took a lot of quality because of the difficulty, and the defender Wallace beat Olivia Sides, which is very, very good.
“When I look at that, it was really her will to win against one of the better center-backs in the state. It was her will to win, the physicality part and then the shot on the run. It was insane,” Flemming said.
The battle against Tahoma felt like a playoff game and that is because both teams have the potential to make deep runs in the postseason.
The last two games on the docket for Flemming and his team are the Kennedy Lancers and a final battle with Kentwood to close out the regular season. “I think every game at this stage for all intents and purposes are playoff games,” Flemming said.
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