MLCA advances to state tourney

Lions to host Riverside Christian

SUNNYSIDE - The Moses Lake Christian boys soccer team qualified for the 1B/2B Washington Interscholastic Activities Association state soccer tournament after a pair of wins last weekend at the regional playoffs.

The Lions defeated the defending 1B/2B state champion Northwest Christian Academy 2-1 Friday in Sunnyside to guarantee Moses Lake Christian a trip to the 2008 tournament.

After the match Moses Lake Christian head coach Scott McCornack said he was impressed with his team's play.

"(We) played very well," he said. "Incredibly well, actually."

The Lions got off to a quick start, attacking the Northwest Christian goal in the game's first minute, McCornack said.

"We came out firing on all cylinders from the beginning," he said. "We immediately took it to them."

Moses Lake Christian capitalized on a pair of goals from Joe Timofeyev to distance themselves from Northwest Christian. The Lions lost 2-1 to Northwest Christian in a non-conference game earlier this season.

The two schools played through a 0-0 tie for much of the first half Friday before Timofeyev found the back of the Northwest Christian net in the game's 30th minute.

Timofeyev scored when Tim Gjefle stole the ball from Northwest Christian and dribbled through defenders before crossing the ball to Timofeyev who headed it into the back of the net for a 1-0 Lions lead.

Moses Lake Christian would hold Northwest Christian off the scoreboard and take a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The Lions would take a commanding lead late in the game when Timofeyev scored his second goal of the contest in the game's 72nd minute for a 2-0 lead.

McCornack said he is impressed with Timofeyev's ability.

"Joe is a very skilled young player," he said. "His only weakness is his size. He is only a freshman."

Northwest Christian would get on the board in the 77th minute to cut the Moses Lake Christian lead to 2-1.

The Lions would keep Northwest Christian off the scoreboard in the game's final three minutes as Moses Lake Christian earned the victory.

With the victory over Northwest Christian on Friday, the Lions qualified for the state tournament and played the St. George Dragons for the tournament's top seed in the East.

McCornack believed the tournament's number two seed would have an easier draw to the finals and his team worked on their defensive strategy against St. George.

"They are probably, in my opinion, the best team in the state," he said. "The defense came out and held the game together, held our team together."

After 80 minutes, the Dragons and the Lions had played to a 0-0 tie and headed into overtime.

In the game's 82nd minute, St. Georgia took a 1-0 lead over the Lions.

Moses Lake Christian would respond three minutes later when Lowell Kirkwood found the back of the net for a 1-1 tie.

Because the overtime periods ended with the game still tied, Moses Lake Christian and St. George went to a shoot-out.

Both teams converted their first three attempts before the Lions' fourth attempt sailed wide.

With the game on the line, St. George's fourth attempt missed and the Lions and Dragons headed into the fifth attempt tied at 3-3.

The Lions would take a 4-3 advantage when Connor Webb scored to give Moses Lake Christian a 4-3 advantage in the shoot-out.

The Dragons would miss their tying attempt and the Lions would win the regional tournament.

McCornack said he was surprised with the outcome.

"It was an unbelievable match," he said. "It was not at all what we expected."

With Moses Lake Christian qualifying for the state tournament, McCornack said he is surprised with his team's success.

"The expectations for us have not been high," he said. "This was supposed to be a rebuilding year."

While the Lions will host Riverside Christian Saturday at Lions Field, McCornack said his team likes playing the role of the underdog.

"They liked the fact that people have counted them out," he said. "It's always fun to slide through the back door and surprise some people. This is a great experience."

Moses Lake Christian will host Riverside Christian Saturday at Lions Field.

Kick off is scheduled for 11 a.m.