Mavericks’ soccer triumphs over Huskies

OTHELLO — The Moses Lake Mavericks soccer team went on the road and earned a 2-0 victory over the Othello Huskies on Tuesday evening. 

“I think that we did really good today,” said Mavs player Chelsea Gonzalez. “I feel like we had really good chemistry, and we were passing good and we just took advantage of our opportunities.” 

In the first half the Mavs scored two goals, both kicked by Kamery Char. The Huskies kept pressure on the Mavericks’ side of the field but were unable to score in the first half. 

Both teams’ defenses were on display during the second half with the goalies' making blocks and stopping the ball before it reached the net. No scores were made and the game ended with a final score of 2-0 in favor of the Mavs. 

“The girls played really well,” said Mavs senior Ali Harshman. “It was our first game; we worked out the jitters and we set the tone.” 

Mikayla Sawyer from the Mavs said that the team displayed good chemistry and took advantage of the opportunities given to them which ultimately led to their victory. 

The Mavs players said one thing they learned from Tuesday’s matchup was that they need to continue to push themselves both in practice and during games and try to reach their full potential. 

Huskies player Arely Porfirio said she felt like her team put up a solid performance against a tough 4A opponent. She said the Mavs showed a lot of chemistry throughout the game and hopes that the Huskies can build their own team chemistry up in a similar way. 

“I think since we were under pressure it was a little overwhelming, but overall, I think with our teamwork we could do really good and we have more potential than we think,” said Porfirio. 

Kimberly Espinabarros from the Huskies said that she felt like the team did well but knows that they can do better. She said that next time she wants the team to be more prepared to communicate and spread out more. 

Porfirio and Espinabarros said they noticed their teammates struggling with their stamina throughout the game and their bodies began to wear down, so the next few practices will reflect that.  

Despite the loss Espinabarros said that she wants her teammates to stay positive as they move toward their next game. 

“If you fall down, get back up,” she said. 

The Huskies’ coach Victor Quiroz said this week was a tough game, but it also helped the players grow. This game allowed many of the Huskies players to come together and really play together at the high school level. 

“We made some adjustments, and I think they helped us out in the second half,” said Quiroz. “I think towards that end we kind of showed ourselves how we’re capable of playing.” 

He said the biggest lesson for the team outside of communication is learning to trust each other on the field. Building up these skills as they move forward will be key to their success this season. 

“We’re going to work on trying to build our chemistry, we’re also going to try build on getting some shots off and making some runs, but also just trusting each other. I think that’s major right there.” 

Tuesday’s game also was game one of the season for the Mavs after having their initial first game cancelled due to poor air quality in the area. The Mavs’ head coach Alysha Overland said the team was disappointed about losing out on that first home game, but she told the players to use that energy as motivation for this matchup.  

“I think both teams came out excited to start the season off, wanting to set the tone for themselves and it was a grind,” said Overland. “I told them after the game that I could tell they all played their hearts out both first and second half, so it was a fun game to start the season off with.” 

The Mavs’ coach said she was very impressed with how well the team came together on both offense and defense and their ability to mesh together for their first game this season. 

Overland said the team is preparing for a quick turnaround as they prepare for their next game tonight.  

“We’re just going to recover them, fix some of the little things and then just prep them for the (next game),” she said. 

The Mavs will played at home against Sunnyside Sept. 11, coverage of that game will be in Monday's edition of the paper. The Huskies will go on the road to face the Quincy Jacks this Saturday at noon. 

BOX SCORE: 

MLHS: 2-0: 2  

OTHL: 0-0: 0 

ROSTER:  

Othello Huskies 

Name, Jersey 

Josie “Jojo” Hernandez, 0 

Mya Rivera, 1 

Khloe Valdez, 2 

Bella Garza, 3 

Arely Porfirio, 5 

Piper Uebelacker, 6 

Brooklyn Hillman, 7 

Mili Flores, 8 

Abigail Sorenson, 9 

Kate Mollote, 10 

Leilano Macedo, 11 

Angie Monday, 12 

Miriam Garcia, 16 

Abcde Garza, 18 

Aaliyah Ruelas, 14 

Ezmee Perez, 19 

Kimberly Espinabarros, 20 

Anais Ayala, 21 

Maria Deleon, 24 

Moses Lake Mavericks 

Name, Jersey 

Stella Betes, 1 

Reese Prescott, 2 

Miciah Higley, 3 

Kenna Morrison, 4 

Erin Ribellia, 5 

Isabelle Allred, 6 

Amaya Perez, 8 

Mikayla Sawyer, 9 

Lindsey Davis, 10 

Chelsea Gonzales, 11 

Reese Char, 12 

Yvanna Lawton, 13 

Ali Harshman, 14 

Cayla Throneberry, 15 

Kamery Char, 16 

Makayla Lustig, 17 

Cynthia Velasquez, 18 

Emma Thompson, 0 

    Mavs player Erin Ribellia swiftly kicks the ball across the field to a teammate during Tuesday’s game against the Huskies. The Mavs’ coach Alysha Overland said the team had a solid performance on both offense and defense.
  

    Piper Uebelacker from the Huskies makes a strong corner kick during the team’s matchup against the Mavs.
  

    Kenna Morrison from the Mavs runs toward the middle of the field with possession of the ball.
  

    Huskies player Khloe Valdez races ahead of the competition to gain possession of the ball during Tuesday’s game against the Mavs.
  

    The Huskies’ Abcde Garza and the Mavs’ Cayla Throneberry battle for possession of the ball during their first game of the season.