Soccer: Centralia stuns WF West with OT win

4/19/2024

Centralia 2, WF West 1 (OT)

(Centralia, WA) The crosstown rivalry had plenty on the line especially for Centralia. The Tigers are trying to get into the postseason for the 1st time in years. After dropping a 2-1 loss to Shelton on Tuesday really made this match a must win for Centralia to keep their destiny in their own hands.

From a standings point there was no urgency for the Bearcats as they have wrapped up the Championship and #1 North seed. However, that had no impact on the Bearcats desire to beat their longtime crosstown rival the Tigers.

As the game began the Tigers were the agressor but could not close the deal on a couple of deep attacks. The Bearcat defense did a great job denying the Tigers. The Bearcats would then strike first in the 35th minute on a corner kick. Uzi Lopez Cruz fired a perfect shot into the box, it was deflected right to Charles Comisky who tapped in the goal. The Bearcat 1-0 lead would hold up to halftime.

As the 2nd half began the Tigers feeling they should either be tied or leading came out to get one past the Bearcat keeper Cayden Page. The Tigers would take advantage of their own corner kick from the same corner the Bearcats scored. It was Angel Rojas who launched a line-drive rocket right at Alex Hernandez who led with his head riocheting it past Page for the tying goal in the 50th minute.

Once again both sides attacked and countered but neither side would give in. Regulation time ran out with nothing settled so the 2 teams headed for the 1st 5-minute golden goal overtime which means the 1st goal wins the game.

As time ticked down in stoppage time the Tigers got the ball on the right side about 25 yards out where Angel Rojas launched another beautiful passing shot into the box where Page went up to grab it but it got by him where Centralia’s Damian Corona was and punched it into the back of the net for the game winner.

Overall the Tigers got great efforts from keeper Alejandro Arevalo along with Fernando Lopez, Miles Page and Alan Cox. The Bearcats had big efforts from Jeremy Thompson and Rafa Mendez.

The winning shot would earn our NW Home team of Better Homes and Garden Realty, Summit Funding and Country Business Insurance’s Takin’ It to the House Play of the Game. Our Thorbeckes MVP went to Angel Rojas.

Centralia improves to 6-4 in league play and 7-5 overall while WF West drops to 8-2 in league play and 9-3 on the season. Shelton stunned Tumwater Friday night which gave Tumwater their 4th loss and are now tied with Centralia at 6-4. Aberdeen is 5-4 but has not yet played their 10th league match.

The Tigers have Black Hills and Aberdeen still to play, Tumwater gets Aberdeen and Rochester while Aberdeen plays Tumwater, Shelton and Centralia.

ESN talks with the Tigers’ Angel Rojas