HS Soccer: WF West Gets Payback Against Centralia in Foggy Chronicle Cup

10/17/23

WF West 1, Centralia 0

(Centralia, WA) For the second time this season, the WF West Bearcats and the Centralia Tigers girls soccer teams shared the field which meant that the Chronicle Cup would be awarded to one of the teams after all was said and done on Tuesday night. If either side won in regulation, that team would take home the Cup which is exactly what happened. Despite Centralia taking the first meeting in a penalty kick shootout, WF West came out for revenge and they got some payback with a first half goal and strong defense in a heavy fog to earn the 1-0 victory.

WF West put the pressure on the Tiger defense in the early going. Emily Mallonee led the attack for the Bearcats and her and Lena Fragner put some pressure on the backline of Centralia. The Tigers made a change on defense and went to a diamond-style defense with a stopper and sweeper that seemed to stop the Bearcat attack once they got near the 18-yard box. Bella Gomez was very strong in her sweeper role denying the attacks but did give up some corners. WF West never really threatened with a corner but the counters of Centralia started to put some pressure on the Bearcats. Anahi Corona, Alia Gomes, Olivia Gruginski, and Trinity Smith were consistent on offense but the Tigers could not get anything by Staysha Fleutsch. Finally late in the first half, Emily Mallonee subbed back in with Reese Mishler and Lena Fragner. Mallonee switched to the left side wing despite starting the match on the right side and dominating the right side. Mallonee took the ball up the left side and cut back a beautiful pass right to Mishler. The sophomore but enough speed on it to shoot it past the keeper for the goal in the 36th minute to make it 1-0 Bearcats at halftime.

In the second half, there was not much of a story to tell. Not because the game got boring, but because a heavy fog rolled onto the field and made it impossible to see what was going on. Even people on the sidelines could not see what was happening. What we do know is that WF West’s defense was able to protect their one goal lead as the Bearcats hung on to the 1-0 win over Centralia to claim the Chronicle Cup.

Our Thorbeckes MVP and Better Homes and Gardens Takin’ it to the House Play of the Game were tied together. Emily Mallonee took home the MVP honors as she showcased how much of an impact she could make on both sides of the field. The junior was consistent all match long and created opportunities for her squad on both the left and right sides of the field. The play of the game also involved Mallonee as she assisted on the lone goal of this one. A beautiful cut back pass went right to Reese Mishler who fired it into the back of the net for what turned out to be the game winner. A beautiful was executed to perfection to give WF West a very hard-fought win.

With the win, WF West improves to 7-7 and 6-4 in league play while clinching at least an opportunity to play in the pigtail game to get into the District Tournament. The Bearcats will be back in action on Thursday when they host Black Hills at 7pm. Meanwhile, the Centralia Tigers have also clinched at least a pigtail appearance as they now hold a record of 8-5 and they are also 6-4 in EvCo 2A play. Centralia will next play in their final non-league game of the season on Thursday when they host Ilwaco at 6:30pm.

To watch the entire replay, or just the half you can see, you can check out the link below to the event on the NFHS Network.

Centralia vs WF West – Girls Varsity Soccer 10/17/2023 | Live & On Demand (nfhsnetwork.com)