(Longview, WA) Lower Columbia secured their third consecutive West Region Championship with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Tacoma Titans on October 23, 2024, at Northlake Field. This win also secured them the top seed for the upcoming NWAC playoffs.
Lower Columbia opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a goal by
Rhyli Grim, but Tacoma quickly responded in the 13th minute with a goal from Angelina Covarrubias, assisted by Melanie Rojas-Perez. Lower Columbia regained the lead in the 30th minute when
Alexia Valdez, assisted by
Avery Kimball, found the back of the net.
The Red Devils extended their lead to 3-1 in the second half with a goal from
Shakira Nolasco, assisted by Valdez, in the 76th minute. Tacoma fought back, with Amelia Recardo scoring in the final seconds of the match to make it 3-2, but it wasn't enough to stop Lower Columbia from claiming the victory.
The Red Devils outshot the Titans 15-11, with both teams putting on a strong defensive display. Lower Columbia's goalkeeper,
Jade Goulding, made four key saves, while Tacoma's Shaliyah Dupar tallied seven saves.
Lower has one more match to focus on before turning their attention to the playoffs. They will face the Highline Thunderbirds on Saturday, October 26, at Starfire field in Tukwilla, WA. The match is set for 12:00 pm.Â
The Devils will have a first round bye for the NWAC Championships and will then host a Quarterfinals match on Saturday, November 9, at Longview Memorial Stadium.
Before the match on Wednesday, the Devils took some time to recognize the 16 sophomore players that have made this third title possible. The culture that they have helped to install within Red Devil Soccer will impact players for years to come.
