HS Soccer: Centralia Wins Pigtail in Shootout Win Over Woodland

5/7/2026

(Centralia, WA) The Centralia Tigers came into the District 4 2A pigtail game on a 4 game losing streak after a 6-1 shellacking by Aberdeen. Woodland won their last 2 matches in the 2A GSHL and hoped the momentum would carry over into the opening round of district play.

Centralia 2 Woodland 2 End of Regulation

Centralia came out firing from the start of the match. A hard shot was fired on frame just 2 minutes in but Woodland’s keeper Jose Esparza-Alvez sent it over the crossbar. Esparza-Alvez was incredible in goal making several diving and timely saves to keep the match close. In the 16th minute Centralia’s Johnny Ruiz settled a pass in the 18 yard box and made a quick side step to get by Woodlands keeper for the 1-0 Tigers lead. Centralia scored their second goal in stoppage time when Evan Alexander Tackman cut along the endline and took a shot from a very tough angle for a 2-0 lead at the half. The lead could have been more but Esparza-Alvez made 9 saves in the half and Josue Rivera Guzman made a big play for Woodland as well. Centralia took 4 corners in the half while Woodland had 2.

In the 2nd half everything flipped. The Beavers Logan Speranza sent a shot just over the crossbar just 30 seconds in and it was game on. Speranza got Woodland on the board in the 52nd minute after his first touch sent the ball into the 18 he hit a hard shot just by the charging Centralia goalie. Just 1o minutes later Josue Martinez-Alejo hit the equalizer from right outside the 18 yard box for the last goal in regulation. Centralia picked up the attack earning 9 corners in the match but the Beavers defense shut them down sending the match to overtime.

Centralia 3 Woodland 2 (4-2 in a Shootout)

Both overtime periods saw lots of action but neither team could score and the game would be decided by a shootout. Centralia captain and usual forward Damian Corona was the Tigers’ keeper in the shootout while Woodland stayed with Jose Esparza-Alvez. The Beavers first 2 shooters Logan Speranza and Luis Santos Mendoza converted as did Centralia’s Andres Cruz and Evan Alexander Tackman. Woodland’s 3rd shooter Miguel Martinez-Betancourt went right down the middle and was blocked by Corona. Gabriel “Pato” Cruz scored for Centralia to give them the lead. Adrian Mayo’s shot went wide for Woodland and Johnny Ruiz nailed the last shot sending the Tigers into the full district 4 2A tournament. Watch the full Shootout below.

MVP and Up Next

Our Thorebeckes MVP went to Johnny Ruiz for his bookend goals and his overall hustle throughout the match. Had Woodland won it would have gone to Jose Esparza-Alvez who was outstanding all game long.

Centralia in now 10-7 on the season and head to GSHL #2 Hockinson on May 9th. Woodland’s season ends with an 8-10 overall record and a bright future with only 3 seniors graduating.