A huge second half from Chelsea Le led Gonzaga Prep to an eye-opening 3-0 win against Central Valley in a cold and wet 4A district final Thursday. The other contests, meanwhile, set up 'Redemption Saturday' in the two consolation finals in the losers brackets. Top GSL 3A seed Mt Spokane will get a chance to avenge their loss to league foe Shadle Park while top MCC 4A seed Richland looks to avenge its shootout defeat from the opening round at the hands of University, the fourth seed out of the GSL.
The Bears have traditionally been a powerhouse, but the Bullpups have proven to be their nemesis during the postseason of late. Thursday night's result is the third consecutive playoff loss at the hands of Gonzaga Prep in the last four seasons. Prep were 3-0 winners in 2016 and took a shootout decision in 2015 after a scoreless affair. The postseason win streak for the Bullpups is now four games as they also won in 2011 with the last Bears playoff win against Prep coming in 2010.
Gonzaga Prep adds two more for 3-0 win over Central Valley in 4A district final @GSL_Scores @g_prep pic.twitter.com/LKYTfmu26n— Gerald Barnhart (@INWsoccernews) November 2, 2018
## 4A / 3A PLAYOFFS ##
3A - Southridge 0-1 Mt Spokane :: The contest was an even affair as neither side could really string any consistent possession together on the sloggy pitch to gain some momentum. An Ally Gockley corner in the 27th would prove to be the difference with defender Gracyn Ulias popping a header from the edge of the box into the open area of the goal. The visitors would get two decent chances at pulling even. The first came on a ball in from the right side early in the second half that was mishandled by the keeper but went tantalizingly through the six before being cleared away. A late chance developed in the final minute off a build up on the the left that resulted with a cross in to the top of the box, but the finish that soared over the goal.
MS: Gracyn Ulias (Ally Gockley) 27
GK - MS: Averie Carlsen 8 saves (65 mins) & Anna Boyer 0 saves (15 mins); S: Masterson 8 saves
4A - Gonzaga Prep 3-0 Central Valley :: The Bullpups survived several early scares from the Bears to keep the contest even and capitalized for the lead two minutes before the intermission when Chelsea Le finished a chance from outside the box. In the 52nd minute she would double the lead on a long free kick that the Bears keeper was unable to hold onto. Central Valley continued to put on the pressure, but the Bullpup defense limited the quality of their looks and in the 65th another effort from Le went off the hands of the keeper to essentially lock up the result with 15 minutes remaining.
GP: Chelsea Le (Kennedy Seibold) 38
GP: Chelsea Le 52
GP: Chelsea Le 65
GK - GP: Eden Elliott 6 saves; CV: Clair Kaufmann 2 saves (70 mins) & Drew Scott 1 save (10 mins)
4A - Mead 1-3 University :: The Panther claimed the lead on the road six minutes into the second half, but the Titans scored three times in the final 11 minutes to grab the victory. Kelsey Crosby tied things up in the 69th minute and was taken down in the area with three minutes remaining, allowing her sister Gracen to convert for the winner. Lauren Chester would add one more in the 79th for insurance.
M: Erika Frahm 46
U: Kelsey Crosby 69
U: Gracen Crosby (pen) 77
U: Lauren Chester 79
GK - U: Josie Krum 3 saves; M: Ashlynn Eggleston 6 saves
4A - Richland 3-2 (SO) Chiawana :: For the second time in less than two weeks the top two 4A sides in the MCC squared off with plenty at stake. Once again the Bombers got out to a big lead. Ashley Tonthat was streaking down the right side of the box before hitting for the opener just two minutes in and then turned provider in the 32nd on a strike from McKenna Martinez. Three minutes later Kylee Alvarez scored on a fantastic looping free kick from about 28 yards out that dropped in off the keeper's fingertips. The Bombers held the lead through the second half until another free kick from Alvarez on the left side curled in and dropped in front of the keeper, creating a scrum for it around the penalty spot after it bounced off her chest. Macey Morales would eventually get a foot on it, sending it to the left where Zyree Raban would tap it home at the left post to tie it up four minutes from time. The contest would go to a shootout where a stop from Sydnee Hay in the third round proved to be the difference, sending the Bombers onto the consolation final for the third 4A berth to state. It was redemption for top seed Richland, which was knocked into the loser's bracket via a shootout after a draw against University, who they will host again Saturday.
“Very happy for the players to come to an extremely tough place to play against a very good team and find a way to win after giving up a late equalizer," said Richland head coach Justin Almquist. "We are now hoping to lock up the 3rd seed to state in order to represent the MCC.”
Chiawana assistant coach Sam Nunez was equally pleased with his team's effort. "Great resiliency by the team to get back in the game with four minutes left in regulation. Unfortunate to lose in a shootout. Great season and a big thank you to our five seniors - Ally Gadd, JuliAnna Ventura, Macey Morales, Sydnee Suarez and Lyndsey Ellingsen - for four years of hard work."
R: Ashley Tonthat (Hayden Crowley) 2
R: McKenna Martinez (Ashley Tonthat) 32
C: Kylee Alvarez 35
C: Zyree Raban (Macey Morales) 76
Shootout: 5-4
GK - R: Sydnee Hay 9 saves; C: Kendle Dodson 5 saves
HIGHLIGHTS: @bomberathletics & @Chiawana_RHawks play one of the games of the year. @RchlndBmbrs goes up 2-0 (@ashleytonthat7 had the 1st). @ChiawanaSoccer soars back and sends it into extra time thanks to @zyreeraban. @HaySydnee saves it, Nicole Gall wins it for 💣ers pic.twitter.com/VvBbspSKMJ— Alan Hoshida (@AHoshidaSports) November 2, 2018
It may be the day after Halloween , but @ChiawanaSoccer and @RchlndBmbrs gave us a treat tonight! @bomberathletics jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but @Chiawana_RHawks battled back to tie! Regulation wasn't enough...extra time wasn't enough... we'd go to a shootout! WATCH ⬇️👀 pic.twitter.com/5htmWnALjv— SWX Overtime (@SWX_Overtime) November 2, 2018
Playoff Schedule
Saturday, November 3
3A - Mt Spokane v Shadle Park 1:00 Albi
4A - University v Richland 4:00
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## Great Northern League ##
No Games
Playoff Schedule
Saturday, November 3 - Crossover State Play-Ins
2A - Ephrata @ East Valley 1:00
2A - Cheney @ Ellensburg 1:00
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No Games
Playoff Schedule
Saturday, November 3 - Cross-over State Play-Ins
1A - Cascade @ Lakeside 12:00
1A - Freeman @ Cashmere 1:00
Tuesday, November 6 - State Tournament, First Round
1A - Cle Elum @ Deer Park 4:00
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Recently Posted
10.30 Walla Walla @ Mead
10.30 Chiawana v Central Valley
Coming Soon:
11.01 Southridge v Mt Spokane
11.01 Gonzaga Prep v Central Valley
* Tentative coverage schedule
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