Balanced Tenino takes unbeaten record into battle with 4-0 Columbia White Salmon

For the past four seasons, Tenino High School’s girls soccer team had a generational scoring star up front.

Brieanna Dell scored 106 goals in her career before moving on to a starting role with The Evergeen State College this fall.

Typically, it would be tough to replace a long time centerpiece like Dell, but Tenino has a corps of 11 seniors this fall, half a dozen of whom can score, leading to a different look but similar results as the Beavers have bolted out to a 5-0 non-league start.

They play another stellar 1A program tonight (Thursday) at Columbia White Salmon, 4-0 and ranked sixth in MaxPreps’ computer rankings compared to Tenino’s fifth, a final tuneup before opening 1A Evergreen Conference play at defending champ Montesano on Tuesday.

“We definitely have more experience than we’ve ever had,” said fourth-year coach Kevin Schultz, whose team reached the 2019 state quarterfinals with an 18-1-1 record. “The girls have played together a long time and play very well together.”

Instead of a go-to scorer, the Beavers have several, with former goalkeeper Abby Severse and midfielder Megan Letts leading the way so far with five goals apiece.

“We’ve become more versatile,” Schultz said. “Instead of looking to Bri, you never know who is going to score a goal.”

Letts believes each player has found ways to fill the gap Dell left.

“It hasn’t been a completely seamless transition,” she said. “But we’re coming up with new ways to score. Recently, I’ve realized I can shoot from farther out than I thought I could.”

Severse agreed and appreciates the abilities of Letts and another senior midfielder, Grace Vestal, who has three goals and as many assists, to get into the offense.

“We’re not as dependent on one person,” she said. “Brieanna definitely left a big hole, but we’re all really good athletes. We definitely have a better connection. We can drop it back, or go forward or go wide and be able to finish.”

Said Schultz, who also pointed to Morgan Miner and Emma Barr as key offensive contributors, “We don’t have a girl who’s going to get us 30 goals this year, but we have several who will get us 10 or 15.”

Letts was a first team Olympian All-Area choice last season, but Severse was making an interesting transition, from goalkeeper to forward. A three-sport athlete for the Beavers who’s looking to play softball first and perhaps soccer, too, in college, she has a gift for versatility, but still had some apprehension.

“It was hard to move to forward at first. I was afraid I’d be rusty,” said Severse, who had played up front in youth soccer. “I thought I would be behind, but my team mates and Kevin boosted my confidence to be a better forward.”

Severse liked the pressure of playing keeper, the responsibility to direct the team in front of her, but made a switch to improve the team when Trinity Tafoya, now a junior, showed up to potentially anchor the defense. Tafoya was second team All Area in the spring and has shut out four opponents, including 2A foes Centralia, Shelton and Rochester, this season.

“Trinity gave us the ability to move Abby forward, where she’s very good. She’s smart and does a really good job of getting into places to score goals,” Schultz said.

As key to the defense as the goalkeepers, if not more, is Alivia Hunter, an All State center back in 1A during the spring, whose aggressive play almost gives Tenino an extra midfielder when the Beavers go on offense.

“Other coaches have come up to me after games and said ‘man, she’s really good,’” said Schultz. “She shuts down any attack an offense tries to make. Between her and the rest of our defense, our keepers have only had to make 12 saves in our first five games.”

The depth of talent has led Schultz to schedule “up.” The varsity has those wins over 2A opposition. The JVs in the 27-player program often play smaller schools’ varsities.

“Usually the 2A schools are a little deeper, a little tougher. The physicality is greater,” Schultz said. “They help us prepare to play the different kind of teams we’ll face.”

One different type of team is tonight’s road opponent, Columbia White Salmon, a fellow 1A school, but one that will display an exaggerated pressing style.

“They’ll push all their players up into our half of the field and try to keep the ball there,” said Schultz, who has scouted all four of the Bruins’ games online.

The Beavers relish both the road trip and the chance to match up with another undefeated team.

“It’s definitely a game to look forward to,” said Severse. “Road trips are always fun, especially when we win and can laugh and celebrate and jam out on the bus going back.”

Letts agreed.

“It’s always great to mess up another team’s winning streak,” she said.

This story was originally published September 23, 2021 at 5:00 AM.