Tigers gain as playoffs draw near

EPHRATA - One way to judge the progress of a soccer team is to look at a game against a team they played early in the year, then compare the result to the rematch that takes place later in the season.

Using the Ephrata Tigers' two games with the Selah Vikings as the measuring stick, it appears the Tigers have progressed substantially from just a month ago.

On March 20, Ephrata needed until the second overtime period to defeat Selah 2-1. Saturday, the Tigers dominated the Vikings in winning their match 3-0.

"More than anything they've started to gel," said Ephrata coach Jennifer Lewis. "When the right guys do the right things, we can play with anybody in the league."

Marcos Farias provided the offense Saturday, scoring all three goals against Selah, but it was the Tigers' defensive effort that separated the two CWAC squads.

While Selah played solidly and controlled their share of the possession, the Vikings managed only two shots on the Tigers' goal. Ephrata goalkeeper Jaymes Kirkham saved both shots, neither of which was a legitimate threat to find the back of the net.

Lewis gave much of the credit for Ephrata's solid play to Michele Vigano and Dan Helsley.

"Those two came up big today," said the Tigers' coach. "Defensively, Helsley made all the difference in the world."

Farias gave Ephrata a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 25th minute. The Ephrata scoring machine caught up with a ball from Humberto Mendoza near the top of the penalty area, put a move on a rushing Selah defender, and drove a shot past the Vikings' keeper into the top-right corner of the goal for the score.

In the second half, Farias picked up his second tally of the contest, scoring in the 49th minute on a wide open shot off a pass from Dan Martell.

Farias picked up the hat trick in the 56th minute with an unassisted goal, weaving his way through the Selah defense to the top of the penalty area before launching a high shot that went beyond the reach of the Vikings' keeper.

"You can throw him out there and he can take people apart," said Lewis of Farias. "When he comes to play, other teams have to be careful."

With Farias providing the offensive spark and the rest of the team playing as one, Lewis and the Tigers have high hopes with just three games left before the playoffs commence.

"When these guys come to play and play together, we can pick anyone off," said Lewis. "They're looking to peak at the right time."