Chiefs beat Davis in shoot out
MOSES LAKE - It was a battle befitting two evenly matched opponents as Moses Lake hosted Davis for second place in CBBN soccer action at Lions Field last night.
Both teams entered the contest 8-3 in league play, with the winner claiming the right to play Richland Saturday to determine the district seeding.
And as expected, defense reined supreme as the Chiefs ranked No. 1 in goals allowed and Pirates No. 3, fought to a 0-0 tie in regulation play.
"We knew this was going to be a real battle, and I told the girls to be ready for it," coach Ric Char said. "These were two good defensive teams that allow less than a goal per game."
Moses Lake is ranked No. 1 in the league on offense, and Davis No. 3, but neither managed to put the ball in the net in 80 minutes of play.
The majority of action in the first half was spent on the Davis side of the field, but a last second charge by the Pirates ended on a spectacular sliding save by the Chiefs keeper Heidi Palmer, who kept the Pirates off the board.
"Heidi is an outstanding keeper," Char said. "She leads the league in goals allowed. She's only been playing goalie for two years, but has been a big key to our success."
The second half of play mirrored the first as both teams played shutdown defense and didn't allow a goal.
With the score tied in regulation play, the match was sent into a five-minute sudden death period. The first team to score wins the match. But neither team was able to find the box and game went to a second overtime. Both teams were shut off the scoreboard in the second five-minute period, and the match went to a shoot out.
The Chiefs Liza Bruneel, Kelsie Grant, Kimmi Bakker and Keiley Garcia drilled home shots, but the Pirates only managed two goals, and Moses Lake came away with the victory.
By virtue of the win, the Chiefs travel to Richland to face the Bombers Saturday.
"If we win, we will be the No. 1 seed and face the GSL No. 3 seed at home the following Saturday (Nov. 3)," Char said. "If we loses, we'll be the No. 2 seed and still play a home match that Saturday against the GLS No. 2 seed. I expect a tough match either way, but the girls will be ready."