Ephrata edged by Ridgefield

by Pam ROBEL<br>Herald Sports Editor
| November 8, 2006 8:00 PM

EPHRATA — The Lady Tigers came out tough in the second half, taking advantage of a scoring opportunity in the 57th minute. Bossert, assisted by Youngberg, found the net from the near-side post to tie the game at 2-2.

"We came out harder in the second half," said Ephrata head coach Hillary Coomes. "We didn't play as well as I'd hoped in the first half and they got a couple goals."

A few minutes later Ridgefield scored the final goal of the match and put Ephrata out of the tournament with a 3-2 win.

Ephrata began the first round of state in dramatic fashion by scoring a quick goal that put their opponent, Ridgefield, on their heels.

The goal gave the Lady Tigers a boost to begin the game.

Alex Youngberg found the back of the net from the middle of the box with an assist from Erin Laughlin just 1:38 into the game. Youngberg earned another shot on the Ridgefield goal a few minutes later but could not hit the mark.

"A lot of the girls worked really hard. We just couldn't put anything together," said Coomes. "Sondi Ramaker in midfield, and Alex Youngberg and Kaylyn Bossert worked really hard tonight."

Ephrata's early play paid off with an early corner kick that glanced off the head of Kaylyn Bossert and out of the box.

In the tenth minute Ridgefield caught Ephrata off guard scoring on a cross to tie up the match.

The Lady Tigers continued to create chances deep in the Lady Spudders' territory but could not find the net.

As the first half wore on Ridgefield looked for an opening in Ephrata's defense and found one. Brittany Jensen stepped in to defend the goal after a Ridgefield forward had beaten Ephrata goal keeper Miriam Hall to keep the Lady Spudders from earning the goal.

Late in the first half Youngberg sent a crossing ball to Katelyn McDonnell and McDonnell loaded up, firing the shot just over the crossbar of Ridgefield's net.

With stoppage time ticking Ridgefield found an opening and scored to take a 2-1 lead going into the half.

"We beat Othello and Selah, two teams we lost to the first time we played them, and came back to be co-league champions. That's something that didn't look like it was possible midway through the season," said Coomes as a recap of the season.

Hall had six saves in Ephrata's effort and the Lady Tigers combined for 10 shots on goal.