Huskies’ season ends in 2-1 loss to Grandview in penalty kicks

OTHELLO – Tied at one entering overtime, Saturday’s Central Washington Athletic Conference district tournament match between Othello and Grandview couldn’t get any closer. Grandview had struck first early in the game, which Othello quickly answered with a goal by senior Serenity Peña.

“On that play, we actually just passed past a through ball and scored,” Peña said. “That’s a matter of our style of play, that’s how we play.”

Othello goalkeeper Bresais Ybarra saved three shots in the overtime period, setting up penalty kicks to decide which team would advance. Through five shots both Othello and Grandview were tied, but a shot by Grandview hit the back of the net, giving the Greyhounds a 2-1 win.

“The first time we played them they beat us 2-0 at their house, then they came over here and they beat us again 2-0,” Othello head coach Juan Garcia said. “Today was a lot more of a competitive game.”

Garcia said that Grandview’s play consists of a crowded middle of the field, thus the game plan was to attack on the sides of the field.

“We actually did some studying on their formation, really see what their tactics were,” Garcia said. “They’re a team that likes to stay very compact in the middle and attack with through balls up the middle … We tried to execute our game plan as far as attacking them wide on one of their weak sides, but obviously they didn’t go our way quite 100%.”

The Huskies had scored another goal on a penalty kick by junior Stephanie Gonzalez in the 66th minute, but the goal was waved off due to an offsides call.

“It’s a rollercoaster of emotions,” Garcia said. “Tight games like these at the end of the season, one goal is what makes a difference.”

With the goal being wiped away, the game remained tied through 90 minutes including the overtime periods. Before the Huskies took the field for penalties, Garcia spoke with his team once more.

“Have fun with it,” Garcia told the team. “Have fun with it, this could be the last game of the season. In PKs, really, any team could win.”

With the loss, Othello finished the season 8-8, in what Garcia described as a “rebuilding year.”

“We graduated a lot of key players last year,” Garcia said. “We weren’t expecting to do as well as we did, but these girls really stepped up. They worked hard over the summer, they took a lot of time on themselves. A lot of initiative, and they improved greatly.”

Peña shared a similar thought as her head coach, noting how the team grew together as a unit as the season progressed.

“At first we weren’t the best, but as we started to play more and more together we had that connection,” Peña said. “The style of our play is just beautiful, I loved it.”

Othello had four seniors on its roster in addition to Peña, with defender Carla Gonzalez, forward Ruby Trinidad, forward Isairis Salinas and defender Rubi Mondragon spending their senior year on the team.

“I’m gonna miss the atmosphere, the bus rides, everything,” Peña said. “Practices were always fun, we’re always learning something. Everyone was always enthusiastic to be there. Everything about it.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.