Othello boys soccer team beats Ephrata, loses to No. 1 East Valley in District playoffs

by Rodney Harwood Hagadone Newspaper Group
| May 12, 2017 1:00 AM

YAKIMA — Top-seeded East Valley took just six shots on goal, but converted three to beat No. 5 Othello 3-0 in the semifinals of the 2A District 5-6 boys soccer tournament on Friday.

“We played well but couldn’t convert on a goal,” Huskies coach Bernie Garza said.

East Valley’s Juan Soto finished with a hat trick, scoring two in the first half and the third on a direct kick in the second half.

The No. 5 Huskies (11-7) were scheduled to play No.3 Toppenish in the third-fourth place game on Tuesday. Results were not available at press time. Log onto http://www.cwacathletics.com/ for complete tournament results.

No. 5 Othello 2, No. 4 Ephrata 1

EPHRATA — Othello senior Reese Jones told himself today is not going to be my last game.

“To be done with sports forever, I’d have to take up knitting or read a book,” he said, “not going to happen, not today anyway.”

Juan Tapia sent a through ball through traffic with the pass of the season. Senior Reese Jones collected it in the box, put a couple of touches on it, spun and hit a big right footer past Ephrata goaltender Andres Mendoza with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Huskies a 2-1 victory over the Tigers in the first round of Tuesday’s 2A District 5-6 playoffs on May 2.

During the regular season, Ephrata (9-7) scored with 10 seconds left in regulation and beat Othello in overtime.

The Huskies returned the favor. Othello (11-6) scored in the final minute of both halves, but none more important than Jones’ shot at the end.

“I thought Juan was going to hit it from the top of the box,” Jones said. “I kind of turned and he hit this little through ball. I didn’t realize it, but I was wide open. I was surprised, but I made the shot and that feels great.”

Othello took 15 of its 19 shots in the first half and Mendoza, the Tigers keeper, kept his composure, making eight first-half saves.