By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — After the Roughriders’ come-from-behind 2-1 win over Class 1A state power Klahowya Monday night, Head Coach Dan Horton said, “Overall I think we showed that we have improved from a year ago and we can still improve from game to game.”
Horton’s assessment rings true. The Roughriders look stronger than last season, when Klahowya beat them 1-0 before going on to defeat Bainbridge and advance to the state tournament against Cashmere.
On Monday, Port Angeles felt in control for much of the match, even after the Eagles struck first in the 48th minute. Twelve minutes later, standout freshman Emma Desjardins answered with a spectacular equalizer. From deep in the far-left corner of the field, she took a perfect pass from Mariah Traband and sent a seemingly impossible shot that clipped the far post and ricocheted into the net — a goal that fans will be talking about for a long time.
With the score tied 1-1 in the 80th minute, Traband broke through with the game-winner. Set up by Teanna Clark, she fired a shot from the right side of the box to seal the Roughriders’ 2-1 victory.
Mariah Traband (left) and Emma Desjardins each scored in the Roughriders’ impressive 2-1 win over Klahowya.
Horton also credited defender Sophia Ritchie for her strong work in the back line, while goalkeeper Kennedy Rognlien turned in another solid performance, stopping 4 of 5 shots.
Roughrider defenders Allison Fricker (#9, left) and Brook Pierce (#13, center), seen here defending their net on a blocked shot, have helped lead a defense that has allowed just one goal through two games.
Now 2-0, the Roughriders open Olympic League play Thursday at North Mason at 7:00 p.m.
Elsewhere, the Sequim Wolves travel to West Seattle today for a 4:00 kickoff. In boys tennis, Sequim visits Kingston while North Mason heads to Port Angeles, both matches starting at 4:00. In volleyball, Sequim takes on South Kitsap at 7:15.