The Wolves had their version of a 4-for-4 on Thursday night. Four goals by four different players to make it four consecutive victories in their 4-0 Evergreen Conference triumph over Centralia at home.
Throughout the streak, Black Hills has allowed just one goal, a continuation of this fall where its backline has only allowed multiple goals once. The experience of senior outside back Brooklyn Miner has complimented the performance and leadership of sophomores Sienna Perry plus Emma Grunenfelder.
Plus, freshman keeper Peyton McCullough notched her second league clean sheet in three matches.
“They work really well together,” Wolves head coach Jordan Owen said of her backline trio. “That’s where the attack starts. (Defensively) we set the offside trap to shut down (our) opponents offense.”
Two days after triumphing over arch rival Tumwater, the Wolves (6-3-2, 4-1 EvCo) ran into a Tigers squad off momentum from a late equalizer to salvage a draw. Owen admitted it took the first 20 minutes to get into a groove.
Natalie Jarmin and Cassidy O’Reilly found the back of the net in the first half then Ella McNair and Perry scored in the second half. Perry converted an 80th minute penalty kick to cap the evening.
“Team chemistry is totally there,” Owen said. “The main thing has been when we’re gelling and playing to feet, we’re creating scoring opportunities. Quick shots in the attacking-third; be more like sharks in that area.”
Centralia (3-6-2, 1-3-1) begins the second half of league play on Tuesday versus Shelton. The Tigers sit at four points in the standings, two back of Aberdeen for the fourth district spot. Meanwhile Black Hills travels to W.F. West, also on Tuesday night.
The top-two teams in the league will duke it out to gain the inside track at the No. 1 seed. The Bearcats triumphed 2-1 in the first meeting.
“We’re super excited. They have been such a strong team,” Owen said. “We’re hitting our stride at this point in the season and our formation feels set and we keep our shape. That will help us be successful.”
