Cruiser soccer faces tough week in league

In a pivotal week for the Eatonville Cruiser soccer team, their aspirations for securing the top spot in the 1A Evergreen League standings were met with challenges as they faced off against formidable opponents.

Riding high on a seven-game win streak and locked in a three-way tie for the league lead, the Cruisers entered last week's matches with hopes of seizing sole possession of first place.

Their first test came against the Raymond/South Bend Ravens, a match that proved to be a fiercely contested battle. Played out in South Bend last Monday, the Ravens managed to thwart the Cruisers' ambitions, dealing them a 4-2 defeat. Despite their efforts, Eatonville found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime. However, they rallied early in the second half with an Austen Quirie equalizer. Yet, the resilient Ravens responded with two quick goals, establishing a 3-1 lead. Although Trent Cressman’s penalty kick narrowed the gap, an Adam Mora strike sealed the Raven’s victory, dashing Eatonville's hopes of claiming the league title outright.

Undeterred by the setback, the Cruisers sought redemption in their subsequent matchup against the Elma Eagles. However, their quest for a rebound was met with further disappointment as they suffered a 4-0 shutout defeat at the hands of the Eagles. This loss not only dashed their hopes of securing a higher seed in the district playoffs but also relegated them to the fourth and final seed.

With their postseason fate now determined, the Cruisers must regroup and prepare for the upcoming District 4 playoffs. Their journey will commence with a challenging encounter against either Seton Catholic or Columbia/White Salmon, the top seed from the TriCo league, scheduled for Tuesday, May 7. Set in a double-elimination format, this tournament presents a crucial opportunity for the Cruisers to bounce back and secure a berth in the state playoffs. Only the top four finishers will advance, and Eatonville is determined to fight for their place among the elite.