Lions soccer third in state

MLCA suffers first defeat of season in semi-finals

TACOMA — The Moses Lake Christian boys' soccer team traveled to Tacoma this weekend for their first state final-four appearance.

After the last few years of solid regular season play, and playoff letdowns the Lions finally took the next step.

With a team led by seniors Phillip Friehe and Brendan McCornack, Moses Lake eyed a state championship and were only two games away from making the coveted title.

The Lions had to get past their rivals — Northwest Christian. Moses Lake beat the Crusaders during the regular season and had their minds set on a repeat Friday.

Northwest Christian had other plans as they came out wanting nothing more than revenge.

It was a close back and forth game with both Moses Lake and Northwest Christian having opportunities to take control.

The Crusaders' Jared Friedley put one past Moses Lake's goal keeper, Taylor McNamara in the second half to take a 1-0 lead that the Lions were not able to erase.

Northwest Christian went on to play Bear Creek in the championship match.

The Lions went on to play the Tacoma Baptist Crusaders Saturday.

After a bit of a slow start to the game, Moses Lake took control when Spud Webb assisted Kameron Firouzi for the first goal of the match. The Lions built on the momentum and never looked back.

Phillip Friehe followed Firouzi's goal with one of his own; it was a pattern that occurred once more in the game, as Firouzi and Friehe each ended the game with one goal apiece.

The Lions cruised to a lopsided victory 4-1 to take third place in the state.