Wahluke soccer drops contest in a shootout

MATTAWA – Wahluke fell twice in SCAC East soccer last week, but one of the matches was a barn burner against a tough opponent.

Playing at Connell Thursday, the Warrior girls forced the Eagles through two overtimes before succumbing, 2-1.

The Wahluke goal came from Liliana Celaya with an assist from Blanca Guitierrez in the fourth minute of the second half. Connell had taken a 1-0 to halftime on a penalty kick.

In two overtimes, the girls couldn’t settle the issue. They went to a shootout, and Blanca Gutierrez and Liliana Celaya gave the Warriors two goals. But Connell scored three.

Though it was a loss, the battle gave the Warriors hope they’ll make it to the post-season. At the end of the first half of the league season, they are in fourth place at 3-3, one game back of 4-2 Connell.

Fourth place makes it to district, and Wahluke has learned that third-place Connell is within its reach.

The first match last week was a 5-1 loss, but the Warriors battled hard against unbeaten Connell. Brenda Nolasco recorded 11 saves.

“Kiona Benton is a good team and will likely win this half of the league this year,” Wahluke coach DeVictoria said.

The Wahluke goal came in the eighth minute on a penalty kick by Guitierrez.