The Timberline High School Blazers boys soccer team played River Ridge High School on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at South Sound Stadium and, after a scoreless half, Timberline scored two times to secure a win for the Blazers. Noel Fernadez scored first for Timberline, and Mason Hunt made it two-nil after converting on a penalty kick. Matthew Mandig was fouled in the penalty box on a “1 v 1” giving Hunt the PK opportunity.
Timberline head coach Nick Boatright thought his team improved as the game progressed and credited some halftime adjustments that paid off in the second half. “The boys grew into the game and started to find the right spaces to attack,” Boatright proclaimed. “We made some halftime adjustments that made it harder to mark in the midfield and put more players on their backline. Ridge is always organized so the ball had to move quicker than it did in the first half.”
Timberline (2-0-1) now travels next to Yelm in SSC 3A (South Sound Conference) play on Tuesday, March 19th. For coach Boatright, he is excited to see how the season will build. ”We have a tight-knit group with key returning players stepping up and into leadership roles. The team has been building collective understanding through our team’s tactical principles. I am excited to see what our great coaching staff can do with this group.”
River Ridge head coach Kristen Liukkonen thought her team played well but will look to work out some kinks after the loss. “We have 12 seniors, so we are trying to build on what we started last year,” Liukkonen remarked. “This group works really well together and plays some great soccer. We need to make sure we stay consistent. The league has had some shake-ups, so I think it is up for grabs.”
River Ridge (0-1) hosts Heritage Friday at 7 p.m. and then hosts Gig Harbor at South Sound Stadium for 3A play on Tuesday, March 19.
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