Late goal seals fate for Mavs

MOSES LAKE — While the Mavs and Rams remained tied at one through most of the second half, a late West Valley (Yakima) goal sent the Rams into the next round of the Columbia Basin Big 9 district tournament, ending Moses Lake’s season.

“We worked hard, looked like we wanted it, we just couldn’t string the passes together unfortunately,” Moses Lake coach Alysha Overland said. 

After a fast start to the first half for the Mavs, West Valley tied the game in the 34th minute after a through ball got past the Maverick defense, and following a pileup in front of the Moses Lake net, was shot in past the keeper for a goal.

“We just had a quick slipup, unfortunately, and they took advantage and got the goal off of it,” Overland said. 

Both teams were tied through the first 31 minutes of the second half, but the Rams took a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute after a shot from the right side of the net went over the top of the keeper and into the back of the net for another goal.

Moses Lake had some goal-scoring opportunities in the final minutes, but the West Valley defense stood pat and didn’t allow an equalizer. There were moments where players got physical near the West Valley net, but officials didn’t call a penalty and allowed the players to keep on playing. 

Seconds before the final whistle Moses Lake junior Reese Prescott was knocked down while going for the ball, which garnered a reaction from the Maverick crowd in the stands and the bench.

“It’s tough; always respect for the refs,” Overland said. “Can't really put it on the refs; at the end of the day we need to get the result either way, no matter what’s going on.”

Despite late-game miscues, the Mavs started fast in Tuesday’s match, passing well to set up attacks on the West Valley net. Prescott put the Mavs up 1-0 in the seventh minute.

“We’ve just been pushing hard in practice; good, intense practices, keeping the intensity high,” Overland said. “I think earning the momentum right from the get-go is what ultimately led to all the girls pushing high and getting that goal.”

The junior’s goal came after a pass from freshman Kamery Char, and after a few deflections in front of the net by the Ram defense, Prescott’s shot crossed the goal line.

“(Prescott’s) been good about scoring those and following up on her shots, as well as other shots,” Overland said. “When I saw the ball get jumbled and our girls crashing in, I felt pretty good about the fact that it was going to go in.”

Moses Lake finishes the year 8-9, an improvement on its 5-12 mark from the 2022 season. Overland said she hopes the returning players keep up the team’s chemistry they developed when they hit the field again in the fall of 2024.

“How much growth and development that we (had) this season, how much we started connecting as a team at the end,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing for me, our chemistry off the field and trying to lead it on the field going into next season.”

The Mavs will graduate five seniors off of this year’s roster; goalkeeper Gabriela Vela, midfielder Xitlali Murillo, defender Ellie Mounts, midfielder Torie Moser and forward Isabella Huberdeau.

“My heart breaks knowing that the seniors are done after tonight, it’s hard watching them come off the field in tears,” Overland said. “They’re a huge part of this program, all four-year seniors. They put so much time and effort and heart and passion into this.”

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

Box Score

WV: 1-1 2

ML: 1-0 1

 

    Moses Lake junior Reese Prescott (2) runs upfield with possession of the ball against West Valley (Yakima) on Tuesday night.
 Ian Bivona/Columbia Basin Herald   

 

    Moses Lake senior Meadow Saenz (12) corrals a pass from a teammate.
 Ian Bivona/Columbia Basin Herald   

    Moses Lake freshman Kamery Char (16) runs upfield with the ball in the first half against West Valley (Yakima).
 Ian Bivona/Columbia Basin Herald