Montesano’s girls soccer team opened the season in swelteing, unfamiliar conditions and came away with a come-from-behind victory on Saturday.
Girls Prep Soccer
Montesano 2, Cashmere 1
Facing the adversity of playing on the road in 89 degree weather and falling behind early isn’t exactly what Montesano head coach Fidel Sanchez had in mind to kick off the Bulldogs’ 2019 season. But considering the final result, the Bulldogs passed the first test of the season with flying colors.
Montesano battled back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat an exuberant Cashmere team playing in front of its home crowd for the first time this season.
Monte (1-0 overall) fell behind early, allowing a breakaway goal in the 20th minute of the match.
But Monte’s defense settled in and held Cashmere (0-1) scoreless the remainder of the first half, allowing the Montesano offense to get to work.
Monte broke the goose egg in the 38th minute when sophomore midfielder Sierra Birdsall ripped a wide-angle shot that ricocheted off the post. The ball then pinballed around the box before finding its way to the foot of senior forward Anna Ayres, who buried the ball into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-all.
After the halftime break, Monte’s defense continued to limit Cashmere scoring chances, keeping the game knotted at a goal apiece.
Monte broke the tie in the 77th minute, and once again Ayres was involved. Ayres sent a pass that split the Cashmere defense to junior midfielder Brooke Streeter, who collected the ball, beat an oncoming defender and chipped a shot over the arm of the outstretched Cashmere keeper to give Monte the 2-1 lead, and eventually the victory.
Sanchez was proud to see the way his team responded in what turned out to be a tough early-season test.
“We had to travel four-and-a-half hours to get there. It was pretty hot, we had to adjust to playing on a grass field and (Cashmere) came out with intensity,” he said. “It was good for our girls to face that adversity and come from behind to get the win. It was a good test for us. … The girls battled through everything and I’m pretty proud of them.”
Monte’s home opener is set for 7 tonight against Tumwater.
Montesano’s junior varsity team lost 2-1 to Cashmere on Saturday.
Belle Estrada scored the lone goal for Monte.
Montesano 1 1 — 2
Cashmere 1 0 — 1
Top Players: Montesano — Ayres (G, 38th minute, A); Streeter (G, 77th minute)
Boys Prep Golf
Results for Grays Harbor Boys Golf Jamboree on Thursday at Highland Golf Course.
Team Scores (Top 4 per team) — Aberdeen 177 (Nolan King 36, Evan Waara 54, Gavin Timmons 47, Nick Farrer 46, Logan Seguin 48, Trevon Nickols 60); Elma 208 (Jared Moline 49, Zeke Mueller 51, Max Olson 54, Christian Spencer 61, Brady Bunch 61, Noah Hull 54); Hoquiam 199 (Michael Jump 39, Noah Sudderth 52, Dominic Pence 60, Nyeki Dayton 53, Tommy Wallace 57, Mick Bozich 55); Montesano 186 (Ben Royer 47, Ben Willis 44, Nate Johnson 49, Kody Lalonde 46, Payton Prom 56, Dylan Schoch 51).
