Playoff spot looming, Chiefs eclipse Sunnyside

MOSES LAKE — Two games remain in the regular season and the Moses Lake Chiefs soccer team is not only on the doorstep of a district playoff berth but could be looking at some home cooking to boot.

Following their 4-0 thrashing of visiting Sunnyside last night, the Chiefs (8-5, 7-5) are two victories away from a sure playoff spot and a possible minimum fifth-seed at districts which would allow them to host their opening tournament game at Lions Field.

Moses Lake, following their win over Sunnyside, is 5-1 at home this season.

“This win puts us in about sixth in the league out of 14 and that’s good with us having to go play Richland at their field on Saturday,” Moses Lake coach Bill Bertram said. “Then we finish off with Eastmont. I think they are winnable games, especially if we play like we did tonight.”

In the first half, the Chiefs got on the board in the 10th minute when Alex Alcantar scored off of a Devin Petersen flick pass from an Omar Ramirez throw in.

In the 26th minute, forward Kurtis Spotted-Bear scored to cap off one of the Chiefs’ better offensive attacks this season.

Midfielder Derrick Gonzales received the ball just inside the Sunnyside half of the field and proceeded to juke, jive, dip, and deceive, a handful of Sunnyside defenders before laying the ball to Petersen who found Spotted-Bear right in front of goal and the junior forward pounded the ball home for a 2-0 lead.

Holding that advantage at intermission the Chiefs came out and scored eight minutes later when Gonzales made another run and crossed to Alcantar five-feet in front of goal for a one-touch tally and a 3-0 lead.

About 15 minutes later, Spotted-Bear joined Alcantar in the double-goal department when he put away Petersen’s third assist from six yards out and the rout was officially on.

Moses Lake outshot Sunnyside 14-7.

“The defense stuck it to them and we beat them to every ball,” Bertram said. “Our forwards also stuck a few in tonight. I challenged them to put some in and Double-A and Kurtis got us a few goals.”

The Chiefs were also benefitted by the multiple strong runs of Gonzales and his play at forward when he would move up to charge the attack.

“He does really well making that last 30 yards go fast with his dribble,” Bertram said. “Everyone has to come get him because he goes through three guys and that leaves someone open. He is a great player and he got some confidence today.”

So with two games left Bertram likes how his team is building toward a potential playoff trip.

“I like my maturity and confidence on my backline,” Bertram said. “I like Devin continuing to lead like he has all year and he has become more vocal. The kids are really getting confident and in the last six games we’ve sort of come into a groove and have sorted out who will be playing at what positions and we know where we are at. We just need to keep playing hard, smart, soccer in the back.”

Othello 3, Connell 0

OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies bumped their record to 8-3 on the season with a 3-0 win over Connell on Tuesday.

Ivan Lopez, George Campos and Jose Ramirez all scored for Othello,.

Quincy 6, Grandview 3

QUINCY — Be it a grinding victory or a high-scoring win the Quincy Jacks just keep finding different ways to win this season.

Quincy upped its record to 11-0 overall and 8-0 in Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) play on Tuesday with a 6-3 home win over Grandview.

Quincy led 3-0 at halftime behind two goals by Luis Sorto, one via penalty kick in the fourth minutes and then off of a Jacab Arnall assist 10 minutes later.

JC Romero scored right before the intermission off of a direct kick.

The second half was a high scoring affair that saw Grandview climb back into the game, cutting the deficit to 4-3, after Frank Medina scored in the 54th minute to give the Jacks a 4-1 lead.

With 12 minutes left, Grandview had cut the gap down, but then Sorto assisted Rey Caberera in the 78th minutes to give Quincy a 5-3 lead and Jesus Diaz added the finishing touch for the Jacks’ win.

Wapato 4, Ephrata 1

WAPATO — After a couple of strong wins last week, the Ephrata Tigers fell back in a 4-1 loss Tuesday at Wapato for their second consecutive loss.

Wapato led 2-0 at halftime before a Ramon Sanchez tally brought the Tigers (4-8, 3-8) back within a goal with 30 minutes left in the game.

But Wapato would respond and put the game away late with two more goals to claim the victory.