ROYAL CITY – The Knights were defeated at home 1-0 on Thursday by the visiting Cashmere Bulldogs. Head coach Jens Jensen said that despite the loss, his team gained valuable experience for later in the season.  

“I thought the girls played hard. I thought this was a good learning experience. They're growing as a team. We will get better and better as the season goes on,” Jensen said.  

Jensen said the Knights were missing their starting center, Alejandra Orozco, due to illness. Her absence called for Jensen to adjust the lineup and put some younger players in her place. However, he was pleased with how they stepped up to the challenge, he said.  

“We're missing one of our starters sick in the center mid,” Jensen said. “I thought the girls who had to try to fill that role and help us did pretty good, really. In this kind of game, we didn't know what to expect. We didn't know how good Cashmere was going to be versus how good we are, but really, what we're thinking is we've got to try to be compact. We've got to try to be organized. We've got to keep the ball in front of us, and for 98% of the game, we did that.” 

One of the players who had to step into Orozco’s role was freshman Aurora Santillan. Jensen said she played tough even when she looked overwhelmed at various points in the game. Lauren Wardenaar also got to play at center mid instead of her usual spot on the outside of the field. Jensen said she filled the role well and challenged Cashmere.  

“At the end of the first half, she caused a lot of trouble, and so we left her in there for a while, and then she started cramping up ... the girls stepped up, and we're moving girls around trying to find the best fit in the best places,” Jensen said.  

The Knights’ defense held strong in the first half but were unable to capitalize on offense. Heading into halftime, both teams remained scoreless.  

One standout on defense Jensen pointed to was goalkeeper Grace Soliz. He said she stood out as a shot stopper for the Knights.  

“She is mobile, and she does get to shots. She's a great shot stopper. She organizes things back there. She was big, she was vocal, helpful, she's intense and keeps everybody's competitiveness up. She put in a great shift as well,” he said.  

In the second half, the Knights' defense fought a little longer but slipped in the 67th minute as Cashmere scored the single goal of the game. The Knights would try to find an opportunity to score, but were ultimately unsuccessful and Cashmere would secure the win.

Jensen said he told his players this was a learning experience. He said they competed tougher against Cashmere, who is a favorite to win the league, than in years past and that shows signs of growth. 

“Hopefully, we see them again. Today (they) built some stamina and some battle readiness, and as we go down through the rest of the league, maybe that brings dividends that we're just ready to battle,” Jensen said.  

Jensen sees the potential of his team; had a few calls gone the other way, he felt they could have come out on top. 

“We will get better and better every game. They battled, that's our first real (challenge). That was our first like, ‘You got to go 80 minutes, and you don't get to come out,’ so some girls had to put in a shift today,” Jensen said.  

The Knights host Naches Valley on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. The team’s loss to Cashmere has them 1-1 for the season with a 5-0 win over Connell on Sept. 4. 

BOX SCORE: 

ROYL: 0-0: 0 

CASH: 0-1: 1 

    Knights' freshman Aurora Santillan prepares for a teammate to field the ball during their game against Cashmere on Thursday. Santillan filled in for Alejandra Orozco, who was out sick.
  

    Knights’ Sophia Villafana listens for a call against Cashmere on Thursday. Head Coach Jens Jensen said the loss gave them a valuable learning experience and they will improve as the season continues.
  

    Knights Head Coach Jens Jensen calls out to his players during their game against Cashmere on Thursday. Jensen said his team stepped up against a league favorite opponent.
  

    Emerson Eilers (3) chases down a Cashmere player for control of the ball. Head Coach Jens Jensen said his team built up stamina and battle-readiness against Cashmere on Thursday.
  

    Knights’ goalkeeper Grace Soliz prepares to send the ball back into play. Head Coach Jens Jensen called Soliz a great shot stopper for the team.