Quincy soccer guaranteed for state competition

WENATCHEE — The Quincy High School boys soccer team shut down Bridgeport 4-0 Wednesday and earned its ticket to state.

In the first round of districts, the Quincy Jacks were pitted against Bridgeport. The winner of the game would move on to the district championship match which will send both the winner and loser on to state, guaranteeing the winner of the Wednesday game a spot in the state tournament.

“We’re really excited; we knew this was gonna happen. We were confident,” said Quincy senior Ernesto Nunez.

The game wasn’t slow but neither team could seem to get past the other in the beginning of the match. While there were many missed or blocked shots by both teams in the first half, it wasn’t until the last five minutes of the second quarter that Quincy was finally able to see the net. Almost back to back, the Jacks scored two shots right before halftime. The first goal was made by Ernesto Nunez, followed by a goal by junior Jorge Nunez assisted by senior Israel Perez.

Coming back at the half, up 2-0, the Jacks got back to work. They netted two more goals before the second half was over and held Bridgeport back from making a single goal. The third goal for the Jacks came from Jorge Nunez again and the final shot by freshman Kasey Toves.

Through the game, Quincy attempted 17 total shots and had 10 corner kicks.

Quincy now holds a 12-4-1 season record and has a No. 10 ranking on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Rating Percentage Index.

“You know, we've had those few … losses, but this team has just been the type to not let off or to let that be the thing that determines their season. They push through it, they come back, and they look to improve and just clean up whatever little errors or mistakes and just build on that,” said head coach Francisco Tafoya.

Ernesto Nunez, one of the captains on the team, said he’s played soccer his whole life, from club soccer to school, and that this being his senior year, he wants to make the most out of it. He also called the team a family.

When asked if his team was going to take the district championship Nunez said, “Without a doubt.”

Tafoya said he’s working with the team to polish up a few things before the district title game.

“I think one thing for sure is like our transition and just holding the momentum and pace of the game to our advantage and controlling the whole thing to our place you know, and not letting the other team get any momentum during the game,” Tafoya said.

The district championship will be held on Saturday at Quincy High School at 5 p.m. against Cascade (Leavenworth) High School.

The Jacks have gone head-to-head with Cascade already twice this season and took splits. On April 28, Quincy beat Cascade 2-1 but also lost to them on April 12, 4-3.

Rebecca Pettingill can be reached via email at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.