Entering Tuesday’s 2A District 4 semifinal game against a rival Tumwater team coming off a four-goal performance in its quarterfinal victory, the Aberdeen Bobcats’ impressive season goals-against total of four was in jeopardy.

But the last team to score a goal against the Bobcats had no such fortune as the Aberdeen defense put the clamps down on the Thunderbirds for a 1-0 win, clinching a spot in the district-title game and state tournament in the process.

In a first half that featured multiple offside calls, rough play and yellow cards, Aberdeen (17-0 overall) struck first when senior midfielder Gilberto Lopez passed the ball to junior midfielder Gio Ambrogiani, whose shot from inside the 18-yard box bounced off the near post and out toward the far sideline. Bobcats junior midfielder Juan Serrano made a run to the loose ball and put the rebound into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.

RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Aberdeen’s Edwin Quintana (10) and Juan Serrano embrace after Serrano scored a goal in the first half of the Bobcats’ 1-0 win over Tumwater in a 2A District 4 semifinal game on Tuesday in Aberdeen.

Later in the half, Aberdeen had a golden opportunity to double its lead when junior forward Elmer Torres was fouled just inside the penalty area, giving the Bobcats a penalty kick.

Serrano took the penalty kick and sent a hard shot to the low, right side of goal, but Tumwater keeper AJ Heichelbech guessed correctly, diving to make the stop and cover up the rebound to keep the game at 1-0 Aberdeen.

In the second half, Aberdeen’s Edwin Quintana nearly scored when he took two touches of a bouncing ball toward the middle of the field and hit a 22-yard shot that beat a diving Heichelbech to the left side, but bounced just outside of the left post.

A shot by junior forward Evan Cone on a 1-on-1 run down the hash with 11 minutes left was also just off the mark.

RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Aberdeen defender Hugo Garcia, right, is called for a foul against Tumwater’s Gabe O’Connor during the Bobcats’ 1-0 win in a 2A District 4 semifinal game on Tuesday in Aberdeen.

Pushing forward in an attempt to score the tying goal, Tumwater had its chances in the final 10 minutes of the game. A T-birds corner kick bounced around in front of the Cats goal before being cleared downfield and was followed by a direct free kick from 30 yards out that snuck through traffic and was scooped up by Bobcats keeper Antonio Granados.

On Granados’ ensuing clearance, Aberdeen moved the ball quickly forward and had a golden opportunity to ice the game in the final minute as Heichelbech came far off his line to play the ball.

But a wheeling shot by Torres sailed wide, keeping it a 1-0 score in stoppage time while making hearts jump across the throng of patrons at Stewart Field.

Tumwater (8-8-1) made one last run down field and got toward the end line before the ball was forced out of bounds. The referee then blew the whistle, signifying the end of the match and setting off a Bobcats celebration on the home pitch.

“That’s a typical playoff game right there,” Aberdeen head coach Larry Fleming said, commending the referee for keeping the chippy play under control. “Overall, our guys really played well. I think we passed the ball well and created a bunch of chances. … We really limited that team and that is a solid team with a lot of good offensive players.”

With the victory, the Bobcats earned their first trip to the district-title game since 2016 and first trip to the state tournament since 2019.

“I’m pretty happy, obviously,” Fleming said. “We’re still rolling. … I knew we were going to be stronger this year, but I didn’t think we’d be 17-0 at this point.”

Second-ranked Aberdeen will take on the WIAA RPI top-ranked team in Columbia River (19-0), which beat W.F. West 3-1 in its semifinal game, in the district championship at 6 p.m. Thursday (location to be determined, subject to change).

RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Aberdeen midfielder Edwin Quintana (10) battles for possession against Tumwater’s Austin O’Connor during the Bobcats’ 1-0 win in a 2A District 4 semifinal game on Tuesday at Stewart Field in Aberdeen.

Tumwater 0 0 – 0

Aberdeen 1 0 – 1

Scoring

First half – 1, Aberdeen, Serrano, 19th minute.

Second half – none.