Chiefs Soccer hang on before falling to Chiawana

Moses Lake's Kasey Grant, right, gets ready for a goal-saving tackle during yesterday's game against Chiawana.

by Alan Dale & Herald Sports Writer
| April 21, 2011 6:15 AM

MOSES LAKE - It was a first half that gave one the feeling that it was only a matter of time before the bend would ultimately break.

The Moses Lake Chiefs defense found itself back on its heels numerous times against a tough Chiawana Riverhawks soccer team only to find different ways to thwart any scoring opportunities in last night's Big Nine match at Larson Field.

Eventually, Chiawana would have no more of it and two late, long strikes, gave them a 2-0 halftime lead and that momentum carried to a 6-0 win.

Moses Lake (3-7-1, 2-6) started a young lineup and buoyed by the play of junior goalkeeper Luis Villa, stayed tied for most of the first half. Villa made a number of aggressive plays on the ball in and around his 18-yard box to stymie Chiawana on many of their efforts.

"Luis has been holding our team together all season long," Moses Lake head coach Bill Bertram said. "He has to basically be a sweeper back there and not stand on his line."

Once Moses Lake trailed, the Chiefs were forced to come back at Chiawana to try to get back into the match and that allowed the Riverhawks to exploit the areas they excelled in.

"When you are down 2-0 you have to move some guys up to attack and that opens it up for the other team," Bertram said. "Their speed on the wings killed us and they were allowed to turn the corner and make things happen."

Moses Lake was outshot 12-3.