Basin roundup: Moses Lake shuts out Eastmont, plays at West Valley for state berth
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake forward Abby Rathbun (right) scores a header goal against Eastmont.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake midfielder Morgan Skone shoots and scores in the 25th minute against Eastmont.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake defender Cora Bruneel (right) contests the ball next to Eastmont's Alyssa Konarek.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake forward Denali Knowles (7) tries to possess the ball against Eastmont's Shyanne Chang.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake forward Madi Krogh (2) tries to outrun two Eastmont defenders to the ball.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake forward Denali Knowles (right) leaps for the ball against Eastmont.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake's Morgan Skone (12) and teammate Madi Krogh celebrate Krogh's goal in the 78th minute against Eastmont.
MOSES LAKE — There’s something about the friendly confines of Lions Field.
Whether its the short trip to the venue, the fast turf, or the supportive fans, Moses Lake enjoys playing at home. So, there was no better way to spend the final game of the season at Lions Field than with a 4-0 district playoff win over Eastmont.
“The crowd was loud for us and we just kept our composure,” Morgan Skone said. “We’re just used to playing on fast turf and our touches were on, too.”
Skone spearheaded Moses Lake’s attack with one goal and one assist, in a game where the offense appeared much more in sync than in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Sunnyside.
Collectively, the Chiefs were more energized. A few days between games and some laid back practices will do that.
That reserve translated to game-play in short order.
Eastmont was called for a hand ball, allowing a free kick for Denali Knowles. Knowles’ offering bounced off the crossbar, but senior Cora Bruneel was first to the rebound and swept her leg through the ball to score in the 11th minute.
10 minutes later, Claire Hopkins dribbled down the right sideline and booted a cross for Abby Rathbun who scored on yet another header. Skone capped the flurry by bending a shot around the top of the near post from about 10 yards away to give Moses Lake a 3-0 lead in the 25th minute.
“Morgan is so smooth and she’s so talented,” head coach Ric Char said. “She’s got everything to play at the next level. That’s Morgan so it’s what we expect out of her. We’re very fortunate to have her, for sure.”
Any Eastmont counter-attack was sniffed out by Moses Lake’s back line, which collected its seventh shutout of the season.
Madi Krogh scored the lone goal of the second half, redirecting a pass from Skone in the 78th minute.
Wenatchee defeated West Valley 2-1 in the district championship game, setting up a trip to Yakima on Saturday to decide the Columbia Basin Big Nine’s second state tournament berth. Moses Lake will play at West Valley on Saturday at 2 p.m.
“It’s on the seniors’ minds ever since last year’s 1-0 loss to Wenatchee,” Char said. “I think the seniors felt that we should be there and Saturday is another opportunity for us to do that. It’s the seniors’ time.”
First half — 1, ML, Bruneel, 11:00. 2, ML, Rathbun (Hopkins), 21:00. 3, ML, Skone, 25:00.
Second half — 4, ML, Krogh (Skone), 78:00.
Prep volleyball
Eisenhower 3, Moses Lake 0
YAKIMA — Moses Lake was swept by Eisenhower and was eliminated from the postseason.
Set scores were unavailable by press time.
College volleyball
Columbia Basin 3, Big Bend 0
PASCO — Big Bend struggled to attack Columbia Basin and lost 25-6, 25-15, 25-10.
Ryana Recustodio led the Vikings with three kills and five digs. Savannah Bass added seven assists.