Chiefs soccer winning streak at four

EAST WENATCHEE - Road match against a league opponent without the team's top scorer? No problem.

The Moses Lake Chiefs soccer team continued its roll through the Columbia Basin Big 9 with a 3-0 win over the Eastmont Wildcats. Tuesday's win was the fourth in a row for the Chiefs who remain atop the standings with a 7-0 league record and an 8-4 overall record.

"We've got to keep plugging away," head coach Ric Char said. "Wenatchee's a really good team coming up on Tuesday and they only have one loss and so I think they're out to get their revenge."

The Chiefs were without their top scorer, junior forward Alysha Overland, against Eastmont due to a concussion from a collision while playing keeper in the second half against the Sunnyside Grizzlies on Oct. 10.

However, Char had the luxury of sliding her twin sister, Stephanie, into the forward spot and she deliverd a hat trick.

"It's a coach's dream to have two really good, athletic girls on your team," he said. "And really good girls in terms of character and athleticism. It's just really fortunate to have them."

The Chiefs jumped out early when Stephanie was able to finish an assist from senior forward Caylah Lunning in the third minute for a 1-0 lead. Stephanie struck again in the 27th minute off another assist from Lunning. The hat trick was completed as time was winding down when Stephanie found the back of the net off an assist from junior midfielder McKenna Walker.

"Stephanie just filled right in into the forward spot and did her job," Char said. "We're very lucky."

Lunning's two assists move her into double digits for the season at 11.

Junior keeper Jeanette Alvarado finished the game with five saves and allowed the Chiefs to play from ahead the entire match.

Moses Lake will be back at full strength against Wenatchee Tuesday as Alysha has been cleared to play.

"We sat her for a whole week," Char said. "Made sure all her symptons were gone so that she can go in strong for the last part of our season and into our playoffs because we're going to need her."

Alysha currently sits three goals away from tying the single-season school record of 23 with three matches remaining in the regular season.

Moses Lake returns to Lions Field Oct. 22 for a showdown with the second place Panthers at 7 p.m.

"I think the girls are ready for the challenge," Char said. "They've been waiting to play Wenatchee. They had a sour taste in their mouth when we played them the first time so they'll be hungry for Tuesday's game."