Inland NW Soccer News: Southeast WA HS Boys Update

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Southeast WA HS Boys Update - April 30

Inland NW Soccer News' coverage of high school soccer has gone well. Meanwhile, over the past few weeks, the site has been quietly working on building up a database to provide similar updates on the bigger classifications to the south in the Mid-Columbia Conference and the Columbia Basin Big 9.

Although there is some missing data (particularly for the CBB9), we are going to go live with the coverage of the two leagues as we head into the final games of the season and onward into the playoffs.

Where Everything Stands...

Mid-Columbia Conference - Right from the start, the Pasco Bulldogs (4A) have been running full-throttle in the mixed 4A/3A league and head into the final matches of the season Saturday having already clinched the regular season title with a 13-0 record. The only blemish on a spectacular season that has seen them put 42 in the back of the net and only permit eight at the other end was a 2-1 shootout victory at Kamiakin on Tuesday in a game of no consequences for the Bulldogs. Paso's offense has been lead by the Mertz-Rodriguez brothers Jesus (sophomore) and Emilio (senior), who are in the top four in the league in goals and points. Jesus leads both categories thanks to his 14 goals while Emilio is not far behind with nine goals, but also ranks second in assists with seven. The one player ahead of Emilio is teammate Hector Magana (junior), who has nine to go along with his eight goals. The trio have tallied 31 of the teams 42 goals and played some role (goal or assist) in all but five this year.

The rest of the league has been rather competitive this season with even the bottom teams getting some positive results. The Kennewick Lions have locked up second as they sit one game ahead of Chiawana (4A), whom they swept this year with a 3-2 shootout win on the road and 2-1 win at home. More importantly, they are the top 3A team within the league.

Davis handed Wenatchee its only loss

Despite sitting third of four in the 3A classification, Hanford is fifth overall in the league thanks to the exploits of Will Eldred. The junior has tallied a dozen goals and three assists this season en route to a 5-8 record heading into their season finale against Pasco Saturday.

Columbia Basin Big 9 - With most teams still having two games remaining in the all 4A league, Wenatchee is poised to lock up the regular season title Thursday night in a showdown with second-place Eastmont. The Panthers won their first meeting on the road 2-0 against the Wildcats and hold a two-game lead on them in the table. At 9-1, Wenatchee has controlled the league with a strong defense that has only allowed six goals this season, a tally that is eight fewer then the next best performance by third-place Sunnyside, which boasts the best offense with 27 goals.

With the Wildcats firmly in first, the bigger question in the final week of play will be who finishes second. Eastman is 7-3, but Sunnyside and Davis both lurk just one win back of the Wildcats, though Davis only has one game remaining.

REMAINING SCHEDULES (subject to change)

Mid-Columbia Conference
Saturday, May 2: Walla Walla v Chiawana; Hanford v Pasco; Kamiakin v Southridge; Richland v Kennewick

Columbia Basin Big 9
Thursday, April 30: Eastmont v Wenatchee
Friday, May 1: Moses Lake v Davis; Eisenhower v Sunnyside
Tuesday, May 5: Sunnyside v Eastmont; Wenatchee v Moses Lake
Wednesday, May 6: West Valley v Eisenhower

STANDINGS & STATS (league games only - some data missing*)