Stingy defense and second-half goals carry Ravens to rivalry win over Lions

The Auburn Riverside defense withstood a relentless attack from the high-scoring Auburn Mountainview offense, and it was the Ravens who came away with two second-half goals for a 2-0 South Puget Sound League 3A rivalry victory Friday night.

The two teams came into Friday’s match with identical 7-0 records. Mountainview features one of the strongest offensive attacks in the state with 27 goals, but the Riverside defense, which had not allowed a goal since the season opener, extended its shutout steak to seven matches.

“When you win a game against a really talented team, it just makes you feel that much better about the victory,” Auburn Riverside head coach Robyn Saarenas said. “The boys earned it with the tough shutout, and I have a lot of compliments to give to our defense and our goalkeeper.”

After a scoreless first half, the host Ravens finally broke through in the 52nd minute when Corey Brinkman nodded Tanner Larson’s long free kick past Lions keeper Gage Carlson for the 1-0 lead.

Mountainview ramped up its attack following the goal, putting Riverside goalkeeper Andy Starkel to the test. A Lion free kick midway through the second half deflected off the hands of Starkel for the save. The ensuing corner kick led to another near-miss for the visitors, as a close-range shot sailed right of the net.

The second goal came in the 65th minute , when Riverside’s Brandon Gonzalez stole the ball off a Lion defender 15 yards out, spun and put it in for the 2-0 lead.

The Mountainview offense had another chance two minutes later, when the Lions were awared a penalty kick. But Duvan Vaca-Trujillo’s shot missed wide right.

“I was really proud of our second-half performance, as we found a way to get the ball in the back of the net,” Saarenas said. “Corey was just unstoppable inside the box with his header, and Brandon with the ball at his feet is absolute magic.”

Riverside improves to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the SPSL, while Mountainview falls to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in league play.

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 7:27 AM with the headline "Stingy defense and second-half goals carry Ravens to rivalry win over Lions."