Four unanswered goals by the Beavers, including back-to-back tallies by striker Callie Mickelson, spurred them to a 4-1 triumph over the Bruins in a Class 1A District 4 elimination game victory.
The chance to play in the state tournament will come down to a Saturday Scatter Creek Showdown in Tenino. Game time is likely scheduled for noon.
“One thing I’ll always give Rochester credit for is they always seem to bring it when it matters,” Tenino co-head coach Dave Montgomery said. “It is going to be incredible, loud in the stands.”
Over 48 hours after losing in the quarterfinals to La Center and trailing Columbia White Salmon 1-0 10 minutes into the night, Tenino (12-4-2) blew the doors open and outshot the Bruins 9-0 in the second half. It battled the elements to head into halftime tied at one.
“Couldn’t even communicate,” Beavers co-head coach Trevor Fetbrandt said. “We got to play our game in the second half.”
A year ago, Tenino’s season was cut short by the same White Salmon team in the same round of districts. The mantra of ‘revenge tour’ continued thanks to Mickelson scoring a header in the 32nd minute off a Kyla Watson corner. Charley Jones found Mickelson in the 54th minute to put the Beavers ahead for good.
Kylie Gonia scored her first goal of the season – earning Fetbrandt’s shoutout – and Watson put the finishing touches on the win in the 67th minute.
“Callie was the best player on the field tonight,” Fetbrandt said. “We answered the bell. So impressed by the resiliency.”
