Ephrata season ends with Wahluke

Both teams learn hydration lesson

EPHRATA — The Tigers hosted the Warriors Tuesday in a loser out match in the first round of the road to a 2A state soccer title.

Both teams had players suffering in the heat of the late afternoon with three of Wahluke's players removed from the game late with cramps due to dehydration.

"I think the heat affected both teams pretty equally," said Ephrata head coach Ken Murray. "My guys did a really good job of getting hydrated yesterday."

In the early going of the game Ephrata was able to penetrate Wahluke's defenses to earn two shots in the first 10 minutes.

The teams continued to battle, earning shots on free kicks and playing scrappy soccer.

As the half progressed frustration mounted and so did the number of pushes by both squads but the first 40 minutes proved fruitless for either team.

After the break, Wahluke came out and scored on a set play in the 33rd minute.

Rafael Sanchez found Jairo Rubalcava on a 45 yard kick and Rubalcava found the back of the net.

"That's a set play for us," said Wahluke head coach Tony Langdon. "Jairo was able to just flick it on for the goal."

Wahluke was able to make a few more tries for the goal and put Ephrata's goalkeeper, Andy Zepeda, to work deflecting and smothering shots.

With three minutes of stoppage time to use, Ephrata diligently attacked the goal to the final whistle but could never find the opening they needed for a tie.

"Tony knows how to coach teams in playoff games and I tip my hat to him. That's a good team," said Murray. "I would have liked to have gone further. But we've never lost to a team that wasn't in the top four at state."

The Tigers finish the season with a 15-5 season and retire seniors Francisco Navarro, Mauro Chavez, Andy Rodriguez, Victor Avila and Robert Farias.

Wahluke goes on to play Pullman Saturday.