Tigers conclude season in second round of districts

EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers (6-8) soccer season ended Tuesday evening in the second round of the Central Washington Athletic Conference against Ellensburg with a final score of 1-4. Tigers head coach Gary Klepec said it was a tough postseason matchup, but he is proud of how the team performed this season. 

“We were ready, we were focused,” she said. “I felt like this was probably one of the most ready games that we’ve had.” 

Eisenhower was the first on the board with a quick score in the first half, which Klepec said set the energy for the game early on. The Tigers responded with one of their own, but Eisenhower put up another score to end the half 1-2. 

The Tigers worked to come back in the second half, putting up a strong offensive front and pressuring the goal. Eisenhower stayed vigilant and put up an offensive push of their own and scored two to end the game 1-4. 

“They came out, they played well, but kind of got behind and had trouble getting our motivation back and getting more focused,” said Klepec. “Before we knew it, they had a couple goals and it’s tough to come back from that.” 

He said there was a lot for the Tigers to be proud of accomplishing this season, such as earning the fourth seed in the CWAC to go into the postseason, which is the highest placement for the team in six years. The team also showed grit in games, even when they fell behind. 

“I told the girls I was most proud of the fact that they never gave up, no matter what, no matter how much we struggled,” said Klepec. “Last game, we had trouble with East Valley, never gave up. This one, right up to the very end they were pushing it, trying to get a goal.” 

This year’s Tigers squad was also a very close group, which added onto their success this season. The tigers will be graduating Cyntia Villagran, Lila Rainey, Delanie Killinger, Natalin Abundiz, Bella Wood, Lilly Brewer and Bessy Arevelo from the team after this season, but there are plenty of younger players who are ready to step up and fill in those spots next season. 

Klepec said that, overall, this was a great season for the team, and the Tigers will have time to grow and get prepared for the next season. 

“We’re real young, but we should step up and be ready to go next year,” he said. 

BOX SCORE:  

EPHR: 1-0: 1
ELLN: 2-2: 4 

    Tigers goalkeeper Alyana Valle kicks the ball to an open teammate during Tuesday’s game against Ellensburg.
  

    Tigers freshman Midfielder Sophie Molitor moves the ball down field and prepares to kick the ball to an open teammate against Ellensburg in the second round of districts.
  

    Brooklynn Sieverkropp, a junior from the Tigers, puts pressure on Ellensburg’s side of the field during the district tournament.
  

    Paige Murray from the Tigers moves the ball along the sideline and keeps it out of Ellensburg’s possession during Tuesday’s matchup.
  

    Tigers sophomore Jull Linehan battles against a player from Ellensburg for possession of the ball during the second round of the district tournament.