Hawks 4, Bruins 2

That followed a 5-0 CHS victory over Castle Rock here Sept. 27.

Columbia entered this week's matches at Ridgefield (Tuesday) and at La Center (Thursday) tied for second in Trico standings with Hockinson.

Hockinson outscored CHS, 2-1, and outshot it, 13-3, in both halves to earn the victory.

"We didn't play badly," Bruins Coach Amy Kasenga said. "It's just that what had worked for us in previous matches wasn't working this time."

Kasenga attributed Columbia's inability to play its style to Hockinson's defense.

"Their defense was quick, covered the passing lanes very well, and was very much involved in their attacks," she noted.

Initially, though, the Bruins were on their game.

Kelley McNallan scored off an assist from Shannon McNallan in the sixth minute to give CHS the early lead.

It lasted until Hockinson's Brittany Johnson put in a goal off a corner kick in the ninth minute.

Twenty-two minutes later, Hockinson took the lead for keeps on a goal by Amy Freeman that Kasenga attributed to a CHS defensive breakdown.

From that point on, Hockinson controlled the match and applied constant pressure on the CHS goal. Bruins goalkeeper Kelsey Kidd had her busiest night of the season, finishing with 15 saves.

Hockinson's ????? beat Kidd in the 60th minute for a 3-1 lead that held until Shannon McNallan scored CHS's second goal--and her team-leading ninth overall--four minutes later.

A late insurance goal by ????? gave the Hawks the final edge.

"In the past we've been fortunate to win (against Hockinson), but it's always been close," Kasenga said, adding, "This was just their night to win."

At Columbia High 5, Castle Rock 0 --

Naomi Halpern and Mackenzie VanLaar netted two goals apiece in the Bruins' victory over the Rockets.

All five CHS goals came in the first half, starting with Kelley McNallan's fourth of the season in the seventh minute off an assist by Chelan Weiler.

All told, the Bruins launched 25 shots at the Rockets' goal.

"We were in attack mode most of the night," Kasenga said. "Even in the second half, we didn't get a goal, but we still maintained possession and attacked the goal."