Late PK lifts Centralia to win over Shelton

Box Score

At Shelton HS

TIGERS 2, HIGHCLIMBERS 1

Centralia 1 1 - 2

Shelton 0 1 - 1

Scoring Summary

CEN (20') - Andres Cruz (Damian Corona)

SHEL (65') - Goal

CEN (71') - Corona (PK)

A late penalty kick off the foot of Damian Corona put Centralia up late on Tuesday in Shelton, and the Tigers held on for a 2-1 victory to move into a tie for first place atop the EvCo standings.

"It was wet, it was raining, and it was not the best conditions for either team," Centralia coach Noel Vazquez said. "We went out there and made the best out of it."

Andres Cruz opened the scoring in the 20th minute off an assist from Corona, his fourth straight league game with a goal.

Shelton tied the game in the 65th, but six minutes later, Cruz drew a foul in the box to earn the penalty kick.

Corona nailed the shot from the spot to put the Tigers up, and they held on for the final eight-plus minutes.

"They got the one goal back, but we were able to stay true to our plan and get that penalty kick at the end," Vazquez said.

With the win and an Aberdeen loss to Tumwater, Centralia now sits in a three-way tie for first in the EvCo with the Bobcats and Thunderbirds.

The Tigers (7-3, 3-1 2A EvCo) will get the chance to hand Aberdeen its second straight loss when the Bobcats come to Tiger Stadium on Friday.

"Tumwater taking the undefeated record from (Aberdeen) is gonna open their eyes," Vazquez said. "We are expecting a tough game on Friday. We know the league is wide open to the team that makes less mistakes. We hope to show up, make less mistakes, and give ourselves that shot to be in first."

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