Puyallup tackles tough Auburn-Riverside

Puyallup was tested Thursday night and is relieved to have passed the test against Auburn-Riverside with a 15-7 win over the Ravens. In the closest contest of the year to date, the Vikings couldn't shake the pesky Ravens the entire first half. Riverside's smothering and agressive defense frustrated Puyallup and it showed as they could get the fast break started or get good hole sets. Katie Hayes scored a minute into the game and Puyallup would go three minutes before scoring again when Joanna Boschee' scored a sweep shot with 2:36 to play. Paige Boyer made it 3-0 a minute later, but Riverside came right back with a goal with 25 seconds left to play in the first. Things got even tighter in the second period as back to back goals by Riverside's Amy Cleveland got the Ravens to within one at 4-3 with four minutes left to play . Goals by Boschee' and Lauren Griffin gave Puyallup breathing room at 7-3, but Riverside scored a 5 meter penalty shot that put them back into the game at 7-4. In the second half Boschee' put the Vikings on her back and dominated the water for the first four minutes of the half. She hit a streaking Griffin on the second half sprint for a quick goal, then drilled two more goals herself to put Puyallup up 10-4. Boschee' would finish with a team high six goals. A double ejection that saw Riverside lose their best defender midway through the third period took the wind out of Riverside and it was smooth sailing for the Vikings after that. Bianca Jimenez, Griffin and Brenda Pogue all scored third quarter goals that pushed Puyallup's lead to 13-4. A couple of 5 meter penalty shots in the fourth for Riverside wasn't enough and Puyallup collected win number five. The Vikings get little time to celebrate as they play Emerald Ridge Friday in their third game in three days. Game time is 3:30.