State soccer -- A refreshing win | Yakima Herald-Republic Online

SARA GETTYS/Yakima Herald-Republic
Highland’s Jesus Silva and Cascade’s Jose Avila go up for a header during the first half of their Class 1A state soccer tournament game Tuesday in Cowiche.

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COWICHE -- They were worn out, they didn't impress their coach with team play and their best shots hit more post than net.

But in the first round of the Class 1A state boys soccer playoffs, it would require much more than that to derail the two-time defending champions.

Sophomore Luis Silva scored early in each half -- assisted by junior Eric Perez both times -- and that was enough to carry Highland to a 2-0 win over Cascade on Tuesday, a win that ran the Scotties' state win streak to nine matches.

That history has created well-deserved pride in the Highland program, but it is, after all, history.

"Everyone starts over," said junior co-captain Jesus Silva, the one player on this year's squad who played on the two title teams. "We don't have the same team as last year so we've spent all season trying to come together as a family. That's the only way we'll move on."

Exactly the words coach Rick Hill used after a match in which his players "just never clicked."

Part of it was the first goal came so quickly -- Silva's first tally came in an opening scramble in front of Cascade's net less than two minutes in. After that the Scotties, drained from playing three district matches in five days last week, eased up and didn't get their intensity back until well into the second half.

"We're tired and we're not that deep. You could see the fatigue set in," Hill said. "But I'd still like to see a little more team effort and not so much individual stuff."

Cascade, the No. 4 seed out of the District 6-7 regional, had a number of opportunities to tie the match in the first half, most of them coming from the middle with a stiff westerly breeze at the Kodiaks' backs.

In the second half, after the stern and pointed observations of Hill had time to sink in, the Scotties tightened up on defense and added an insurance goal in the 52nd minute.

"No one expected a quick goal, and I think we let up a little," said Silva, who had two shots glance off the posts. "We had to build up our pressure again and it was better in the second half. We know we have to play better."

Highland's survival last week was definitely taxing. After a 3-1 setback to Wahluke in the district semifinals on Tuesday, the Scotties won loser-out games on Thursday and Saturday, including a 2-0 winner-to-state victory over Wahluke to avenge three previous losses.

"That's when we saw some of our best team play," Hill said of the Wahluke match. "The kids really challenged themselves and dug deep. Today they did just enough to win."

The next step for Highland (15-5) is a trip to Wenatchee on Saturday for a quarterfinal match against Brewster (19-1). The Caribou Trail League champs rallied to beat Meridian 3-2 on Tuesday.

The SCAC's other state entry, Connell, also won on Tuesday as the Eagles blanked Manson 4-0.

First half: 1, Highland, Luis Silva (Eric Perez), 2:00.

Second half: 2, Highland, L. Silva (Perez), 52:00.

Saves: Alvaro Salcedo (H) 3, Antonio Avila (C) 6.