Kenna Pratt scored in the 29th minute for the Warriors in what ended up as the lone tally to beat the Knights in a Class 1A District 4 quarterfinal in Vancouver. Just a year ago, this same matchup in the same round ended as a 6-0 win by the Knights.
It sets up an All-Evergreen League semifinal when Rochester (7-10-1) treks to Montesano on Thursday night in a winner-to-state game. Kickoff time is TBA.
“We knew who to handle on the field better,” Warriors head coach Matt Ashton said. “Going into halftime with a goal was nice.”
Chloe Hess found Pratt on a through ball that the latter connected and placed her goal in the right side of the net. Rochester posted just one clean sheet prior to October, but have since allowed zero goals in four of the last six contests.
The professional-level field that was 20-yards wider was an early adjustment for the Warriors. Now, they are a win away from their first state appearance in 12 years.
“To be the best you have to beat them,” Ashton said. “There’s no reason why we can’t.”
