West Valley holds off Moses Lake

Rams 1, Chiefs 0

MOSES LAKE - The Chiefs girls soccer team surrendered an early goal to the visiting Rams and could not recover as Moses Lake fell to league rival West Valley of Yakima.

The Rams took a one-goal advantage in the game's third minute when a lofty West Valley cross found the back of the net.

Moses Lake head coach Ric Char was not satisfied with the game's final result.

"It didn't go very good, obviously by the score," he said. "I hate these games where they get lucky goals and we just dominate the game."

The Chiefs set the tempo of the game with solid passing and a steady attack.

In the end, Moses Lake could not find the back of the net.

After a string of inconsistent performances, the Chiefs played their first complete game of the year, Char said.

"My girls played their best game so far the season, by far," he said. "The first time they have a complete game they dominate the game against a really good team. They should have won that game."

As the game ended, the Chiefs walked off the field with their heads held high.

"I feel bad for my girls," he said. "They worked their tails off tonight. They did everything right and they didn't get the result that they deserve."

Char said his team needs to rebound and learn from Tuesday night's defeat.

"(We can) not take the loss as a loss," he said. "They don't deserve a loss. I don't know what to say. It was an unlucky game."

Following years of mediocrity, Char said his team is competing with the Columbia Basin League's elite teams.

"The girls need to realize that we are no longer a basement team," he said. "The girls need to realize they are a good team."

Despite the loss, the Moses Lake Chiefs were optimistic.

Junior defender Becca McCullough said her team played united.

"We played good," McCullough said. "We played as a team."

The Chiefs' best scoring chance came in the closing minutes of the first half when freshman Colby Happer fielded a cross in the corner of the penalty box and kicked the ball wide.

Sophomore defender Natalie Diaz said her teams needs to play every game with a strong mentality.

"We need to keep up the intensity," Diaz said. "We end up working so hard and at the end we lose."

The Chiefs had another scoring opportunity late in the second half when West Valley's keeper misplayed a ball in the corner of field and left the net open for Moses Lake.

In the confusion Moses Lake could not get a shot at the empty net.

McCullough said her team needs to score to compete.

Moses Lake has been shut out twice in the past three games.

"We have to score," McCullough said. "It's our downfall. We aren't scoring."