Riverhawks stop Walla Walla 1-0, notch first-ever soccer playoff win

SUTHERLIN — The Umpqua Community College women’s soccer team is moving on in the NWAC playoffs after the Riverhawks defeated Walla Walla 1-0 in the program’s first-ever playoff victory Wednesday at Sutherlin High School.

The No. 10-ranked Riverhawks scored in the first half on a penalty kick by Lola Maniscalco and held off a relentless offensive attack from the No. 9 Warriors the rest of the game.

“The girls really came out with a nothing to lose mentality and they played their hearts out,” coach Annika Arroyo said. “Overall, it was a really, really cool feeling. I think all their hard work leading up to this showed today.”

Siulose Jones drew a penalty in the box in the 26th minute and Maniscalco converted the penalty kick for her fifth goal of the season.

“(Siulose) has been creating chaos all season and I tell her all the time that ‘you’re just a chaotic player, but that’s what you are and who you are and that’s your best quality, to be honest,'” Arroyo said. “(Lola) is like the most cool, calm and collected person and I knew she was going to drive it home.”

Umpqua (11-4-1) was unable to pad its lead and had to rely on its defense to keep the lead intact against a relentless attack by Walla Walla (10-5-4). Goal keeper Kayden Twitchell made nine saves between the pipes for UCC and coach Arroyo credited the defensive back line of Hannah Heuberger, Hadley Williams, Paola Nicolas and Chloe Comerford with providing strong support.

“As a group they did a fantastic job. And Kayden in the net, she came up big,” Arroyo said. “(Walla Walla) had some pretty clinical free kick opportunities and Kayden came up big there.”

UCC moves on to the quarterfinals for the first time in program history and the Riverhawks are looking to knock off No. 2-ranked Tacoma.

“Nobody thought we would be here,” Arroyo said. “After our second-to-last finish last year in the South Region, nobody thought we’d make it playoffs. Nobody thought we’d win the first round. So, just gratitude and we’re grateful to be here. That’s the type of energy we’re playing with. Nobody thought we’d be here, so what do we have to lose?”

The Riverhawks face the Tacoma Titans at noon Saturday in Tacoma. The winner advances to the Final Four on Nov. 14.