First half goal enough for Chiefs in win

MOSES LAKE — Following a disappointing mid-week showing at Chiawana, the Moses Lake Chiefs soccer team got its groove back with a 1-0 win over visiting Eisenhower, Saturday afternoon at Lions Field.

A.J. Montes’ strike in the 28th-minute was enough for the Chiefs (7-5, 6-5) to hold on to the win and remain in the hunt for a post-season berth with three games left on the season.

“Our defense really smothered them today,” Moses Lake coach Bill Bertram said. “Ike just couldn’t get anything going.  We beat them to the majority of the balls today and that is what we’re looking for heading down the playoff stretch.”

Moses Lake outshot Eisenhower (6-4, 5-4) 12-8 and the Chiefs’ goalkeeper Aaron Molina helped his squad with four key saves as they recorded the clean sheet.

A Lewis Bruneel header was enough to find Montes who drilled the opportunity into the bottom left corner of the net and the 1-0 lead.

The Chiefs had a few more opportunities in the first half with two shots hitting the post but the missed chances did not come back to bite them in the end as most of Eisenhower’s shot atempts came from distance.

“Our defenders Omar Ramirez, Christian Manly, Kasey Grant, Josh Stucky, and Frank Ibarra shut down the highest scoring team in the Big Nine by anticipating ball movement, hard tackling, and winning balls in the air,” Bertram said. “We played with a lot of heart today.  We had some guys banged up a bit today but they really worked through their injuries and still gave us some quality minutes.”

Prosser 1, Ephrata 0 (SO)

EPHRATA — A two-match winning streak came to a crashing halt for Ephrata as the Tigers dropped a disappointing shootout loss to visiting Prosser on Friday.

The game ended at 0-0 after regulation and overtime before the visitors found a way to win in the Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) shootout.

“We continued to play the ball well on the ground but were playing a team that bypasses the midfield with long drives out of the back,” Ephrata coach Keith Laughlin said. “We at times also got into that and it was ugly soccer.”

Ephrata (4-7, 3-7) was outshot 9-7 in the loss.

“Last year we lost a 5-1 rout and this year we played a well balanced match,” Laughlin said. “Our defense limited a high scoring offense and we controlled most of the midfield play.  Our legs did look tired as we were sloppier in our challenges and not as organized in the attack.  Overall we are still marching toward the goal of making the playoffs this season.  We want to finish strong.”

Royal 2, Connell 1

ROYAL CITY — Jose Nava’s goal with less than four minutes left to play, was enough for the Royal Knights to hold on for a 2-1 win over Connell on Saturday.

Royal (7-2, 2-1) and Connell were tied 0-0 at halftime.

“We controlled much of the play in the first half and had a number of good opportunities,” Royal coach Jens Jensen said.

Royal made the most of their opportunities in the second half, scoring first on Alex Ramirez’s 48-minute goal.

Connell would tie the game five minutes later and they would remain tied until Nava’s game-winner.

Royal goalkeeper Lupe Arceo made five saves as Connell outshot the Knights 8-6.

Quincy 3, Toppenish 1

QUINCY — Leaders of the CWAC’s north and south division went to battle Saturday in Quincy and the host Jacks’ would be the one’s to rise

Pedro Nunez’s goal and an assist helped the Jacks respond to an early deficit as they defeated Toppenish 3-1 to remain unbeaten.

Quincy (10-0, 7-0) took a 2-1 lead on a Frank Medina Goal in the 63rd minute after Luis Sorto had tied the game for the Jacks late in the first half.

Nunez’s tally came five minutes later and Quincy would hold on the rest of the way.

Othello 4, Grandview 2

OTHELLO — A hat trick by B.G. Guzman gave the Othello Huskies a 4-2 win Saturday over Grandview and kept them alive in the race for a postseason spot.

Othello (7-3, 5-3) led 2-0 at halftime on Guzman goals in the second and 29th minutes, and would lead 3-0 on Esau Hermosillo’s tally six minutes after intermission.

Guzman’s final score came at the 63rd minute mark to help thwart a late Grandview rally.

George Campos assisted all three Guzman scores.