CENTRALIA, WA. — The Lower Columbia Red Devils left it all on the field Saturday, controlling the tempo and creating numerous opportunities, but ultimately had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Centralia College. Despite a lopsided advantage in shots and shots on goal, the Red Devils were unable to break through the Trailblazers' defense.
From the opening whistle, it was clear the Red Devils were the more aggressive side. The offense, led by Dea Covarrubias and Maylee Reynolds, peppered the Centralia goal with shots. Covarrubias, a constant threat, led the team with five shots, four of which were on target. Reynolds was right behind her with four shots and three on goal, consistently testing the Centralia goalkeeper.
The first half saw the Red Devils put up 11 shots, forcing the Centralia keeper to make five crucial saves. The Red Devils' defense was equally impressive, holding Centralia to just five shots in the entire first half.
The second half was a continuation of the dominance. Lower Columbia added nine more shots, bringing the game total to 20, with 11 of those being on target. Centralia, meanwhile, managed just two shots in the second half, a testament to the strong defensive play from the Red Devils' back line. The back line, anchored by players like Payton Bullmore and Annabelle Rogers, along with Ava Gibbs, held strong throughout the match.
The Red Devils' goalkeepers were a force to be reckoned with. Haley Loll got the start and was flawless, stopping all four shots faced in the first half. Cassandra Cleland took over for the second half and was just as solid, making two key saves to preserve the clean sheet for the squad. The duo combined for a six-save shutout, a major highlight of the day.
While the final score wasn't what was hoped for, there's no denying the effort and talent on display. The team showed immense control and a relentless offensive drive. The Red Devils had four corner kicks to Centralia's two, another sign of sustained pressure in the Trailblazers' half of the field.
Lower Columbia may have walked away with a draw, but the performance was a clear victory in many respects. The team proved it can create opportunities at will and the defense, anchored by Ava Gibbs, is a wall that's difficult to breach. The team will take this momentum and focus on converting those shots in the next match.
Next up for the Devils is a home match vs the South Puget Sound Clippers on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 4:00 pm.
