HS Soccer: Centralia Gets Big Win Over WF West

3/31/26

(Centralia, WA) The Centralia Tigers came into the match with a 4-3 overall record and a 1-1 EVCO 2A record after falling to Tumwater 2-1 in their last game. WF West was 4-2 entering Tuesday’s match and coming off a 2-1 win over Shelton to also have a 1-1 record in EVCO 2A play. Last year the teams split the season series with both protecting their home field but WF West took the Swamp Cup on aggregate goals.

Final Centralia 4 WF West 0

The Tigers got off to a fast start with Evan Alexander Tackman scoring on a low shot in just the 3rd minute of the match. Centralia would control possession for most of the first half but a counter attack by the Bearcats led to Centralia keeper Romario Mejia making a big save in the 27th minute. Damian Corona added a goal for the Tigers just before stoppage time to give Centralia a 2-0 halftime lead.

Halftime Centralia 2 WF West 0

The second half played out a lot like the first with Centralia having a majority of the possession. In the 55th minute it looked like the Bearcats were going to get on the board but Tigers defender Adrian Hernandez Ceja was able to clear the ball just before it crossed the goal line. Just 3 minutes later Johnny Ruiz put on a dribbling clinic along the end line getting by a couple defenders before netting the goal from a very tough angle and giving Centralia a 3-0 lead. In the 70th minute WF West starting keeper River Haydon came sliding out of the box to stop a charging Tigers forward however he slid out a little too far and when he threw his mitt up to block the shot he was outside of the box and shown a direct red card for illegally stopping a scoring play. Fox Rogerson finished the match in goal for the Bearcats and made a couple saves including the freekick right after the booking. The Tigers final goal came in stoppage time on a shot from freshman forward Andres Cruz for the 4-0 final score.

MVP and UP Next

The Thorbeckes’ MVP went to Centralia goal keeper Romario Mejia with 7 saves and good play. It was a display of great sportsmanship by Mejia who consoled Haydon as he left the field from the card and put him over the top for MVP. Adrian Hernandez Ceja was also in the running with his save in the 55th minute.

Centralia is now 5-3 overall and 2-1 in EVCO 2A play with a pair of away games starting with a nonleague game against Onalaska on 4/1 and a league game against Shelton on 4/14.

WF West is now 4-3 overall and 1-2 in EVCO 2A play. The Bearcats play a couple of 4A teams with a match at Skyview on 4/2 and a home game against Battle Ground on 4/3.

Watch the Full Match on the NFHS here. (Subscription Required)