Late goal eliminates Moses Lake from postseason

Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Action from Moses Lake’s district playoff game with Wenatchee at the Apple Bowl.

by CONNOR VANDERWEYST
Staff Writer | November 7, 2016 12:00 AM

Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Action from Moses Lakes district playoff game with Wenatchee at the Apple Bowl.

WENATCHEE — Scrambling to tie the game late, Moses Lake had two corner kicks in stoppage time.

Neither resulted in a goal and Wenatchee held on to secure the Columbia Basin Big Nine’s second state tournament berth 1-0. Jaden Grigg’s left-footed strike in the 73rd minute was the difference; it was the first goal Moses Lake had allowed in its three district games.

“We played really well,” defender Cora Bruneel said. “We kept them out of our box for the majority of the game and there were just some unlucky balls that went to the goalie and one slipped past, but the rest of them our keeper did good and she kept them out. We weren’t going to let them get past us.”

The Chiefs were able to exorcise the demons of a 6-2 defeat on Oct. 20 at the Apple Bowl, controlling possession for much of the first half.

A goal was the only thing missing.

Abby Rathbun created Moses Lake’s first chance, dribbling deep down the left sideline before feeding a pass to Denali Knowles that was shot wide of the goal. Knowles had two more opportunities in the first half that just missed their mark.

“We had the better chances today and they got on to go to the back of the net,” head coach Ric Char said. “That is soccer. Kudos to them and I wish them the best at state. They’re a good team. Have to hold your head up high to even compete with them because they’re an outstanding club.”

Rathbun — Moses Lake’s main scoring punch — was sidelined in the second half after suffering a thigh contusion.

Emily Mendoza nearly put Moses Lake ahead in the 53rd minute, connecting on a header off a free kick. However, Mendoza couldn’t quite angle herself toward the goal and the ball struck the left post.

After a noticeable lag throughout the first half, the Panthers began to test Moses Lake keeper Lindsey Thompson over the second 40 minutes. Thompson held her own in her second varsity start, but Griggs found space at the top of the goal box and sent a screamer into the top left corner of the net.

Despite falling one win shy of the state tournament, the future of the Chiefs is bright as the entire team can return next season.

“Now we know that we can do it,” Bruneel said. “With this team that we have, we know we can go far and next year we know what to work for and we have that fire to beat Wenatchee next year. We’ll come back stronger.”