Centralia College still on verge of first postseason berth despite loss to Tacoma
When it rains, it pours.
In a heavy downpour at Bob Peters Field Saturday afternoon, the Centralia College women's soccer team suffered its biggest loss of the 2025 season in a 7-2 blowout to Tacoma Community College.
Despite the defeat, the Trailblazers still have a chance to clinch its first playoff berth in the program history that dates back to 2016. But they only have one more shot. Centralia College must earn either a win or a tie at Pierce College on Wednesday, Oct. 29 to punch its ticket. A loss ends the season.
Clarence Karteh's young team has plenty to clean up before what sets up to be the biggest match in program history next week. The Trailblazers surrendered their most goals in a match since Sept. 5, 2022, and four of them came in the first half Saturday.
After TCC took a 2-0 lead off two unassisted Railee Hutton goals in the first 28 minutes, Eva Figueroa answered off a pass from Maylania Mikaele, taking advantage of the Titans keeper nearly leaving the box to sneak the ball into the net. Both teams traded goals late in the first half, including two by TCC's Laura Corr and one from CC's Krysta Hook on a pass from Anna Souja. A total of five goals were scored within a nine-minute span.
But out of the gate in the second half, the Trailblazers offense disappeared as the rain and wind gusts increased. After six shots on goal and two goals in the first 45 minutes, the Trailblazers only tallied one shot in the second half. TCC scored three more goals to seal the victory.
"Going against the wind in the second half was pretty tough, but it's just the nature of living in the state of Washington," Karteh said. "I'm happy with the performance. I thought we had a really good first half. But defensively, we did not look great today. We need to communicate better. I didn't feel like our defense was in sync today."
Centralia College falls to 6-4-4 and 5-4-4 in conference play with one more chance to secure a postseason bid against Pierce College next week. The Trailblazers beat Pierce 3-1 on Oct. 8 at home.
"It would mean absolutely everything. Part of the reason why I took over this program was to help grow this program," Karteh said of a potential postseason berth. "To come in and potentially be able to be the first, that's what I'm excited about. It will mean everything for these girls. They deserve it."
Centralia College celebrated its 11 sophomores before their final regular season home match. Sophomores include Jenna Browse, Brooklynn Alkire, Celestine Allsup, Izabell Rushing, Abby Hill, Felicity Phillips, Krysta Hook, Maylania Mikaele, Katie Collins, Courtney Baxter and Alicia Jenkins.