Eastmont flusters Moses Lake in soccer shutout

Morgan Clem was Eastmont's hero and Moses Lake's nemesis.

Clem scored the game-breaking goal with 18:21 remaining in the first half to put the Wildcats up 1-0. It turned out to be enough to defeat the Chiefs' soccer team Tuesday at Larson Field.

While both sides pressured the others goal, Moses Lake was left with more opportunities to tie the game.

"We started off slow and we picked it up in the second half," head coach Richardo Char.

Eastmont fired off the ball to start the game, pressing upon the Moses Lake defense and giving goalkeeper Katey Lamb little breaks. Clem fired consecutive balls at Lamb's direction, only to miss off the goal posts each time.

Midway through the first half, Moses Lake surged offensively, putting pressure on the Wildcat defenders, but never an opportunity to find the net. Char said the youth of the team has played a factor to the momentum created by Moses Lake, adding that eight freshman play on the varsity roster, four of which started Tuesday's game.

Bill Bertram, first-year assistant head coach, said players finding positions and fear of mistakes resulted in Moses Lake's hesitancy to fire at the goal.

"Consequently, they are worried about making a mistake rather than a shot on goal," Bertram said.

After Clem's goal, Tiffany Mahre scored for the Wildcats, but officials waved the goal off on account of an offside call on two Eastmont players.

The call gave Moses Lake a sense of urgency and shot more frequently at Eastmont goalie Mindy Johnson. Leading the way was captain and returning starter Becky Bertram who got the first real shot off at Johnson.

Captain Brooke Rosborough punched a goal high from 30-yards out that sailed over the goal just before halftime. Moses Lake trailed at halftime 1-0.

Clem almost gave Eastmont a two-goal lead at the beginning of the second half with a shot she tried to squeeze between Lamb and the right goal post. Lamb's save set up Moses Lake on the Eastmont side of the field with two straight shots on goal.

Bertram drove the center of the field and fired wide left, got the ball back and passed midfield to Vanessa Brishle, who couldn't handle the pass for a solid look at the goal.

Nanako Era got inside the goal box later in the half and fired, but Eastmont defenders got a leg on the ball to stop the closest shot Moses Lake was allowed in the matchup.

Char said his fear with his team is their inability to control the game. He said the Chiefs played at the level of Eastmont, a team he felt they should have won. On Saturday, the Chiefs lost to Pasco 2-1, a game Char said they rose to the challenge. Bertram said it is a matter of time before Moses Lake stops hesitating and fires at will.

"The girls need to realize when we get near the 18-yard line, to nail one," Bertram said.