Postseason play often inspires standout performances and that was the case last week as nearly every player selected for the Best XI could arguably have been chosen as the INWsn Player of the Week.
Chelsea Le was recognized for helping lead Gonzaga Prep to the 4A district title. Facing a tough University side that knocked off top MCC side Richland the game before and Prep narrowly defeated 2-1 during the season, the Bullpups defeated the Titans again 2-1 to reach the district final. Chelsea Le scored what proved to be the game-winner off a rebound of a penalty in the 55th minute to put them up two at the time.
It was the performance against Central Valley, though, that stood out. The Bears won the regular season meeting 2-1 and gave the Bullpups plenty to handle in the district final, but Le broke through with a goal two minutes before the break with a shot from outside the box that put the Pups in front. In the 52nd minute she doubled their advantage on a long free kick and in the 65th she completed a hat-trick to lock up the victory and the district title. The performance marked the first time the Bears had allowed three goals against a GSL opponent since they fell 3-0 to Gonzaga Prep in the district final two years ago. This season, University was the lone league opponent to score twice.
Through games of Saturday, November 3
(Next/Final edition will cover both weeks of State Tournaments)
G - Averie Carlsen (Mt Spokane, Sr) :: A shutout half in a 4-0 win against Kennewick began the losers' bracket run for the Wildcats. She went on to make eight saves in a 1-0 victory against Southridge and another four in a 1-0 result against Shadle Park to claim a state berth.
G - Eden Elliott (Gonzaga Prep, So) :: Made nine saves in a 2-1 victory against University and blanked Central Valley for the district title, making six saves in the 3-0 win.
G - Hannah Pylant (Freeman, Sr) :: She went relatively untested in a shutout half of play in a 4-0 win against Colville, but made 15 saves in a tight 1-0 victory on the road at Cashmere in the cross-over play-in game.
D - Gracyn Ulias (Mt Spokane, So) :: Tallied the opening goal of their 4-0 shutout win against Kennewick and scored the game-winning goal for a 1-0 victory against Southridge. She also helped lead the Wildcats to a 1-0 shutout win against Shadle Park, avenging the earlier playoff loss in which she was sent off.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK :: M - Chelsea Le (Gonzaga Prep, Jr) :: Scored the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over University and then tallied all three goals in the district final for a 3-0 victory against regular season champion Central Valley.
M - Kaeri Ward (Kamiakin, Sr) :: One of the MCC's leading goal creators, she often finds herself in the shadow of teammate Maddie Morgan, but in the district final she scored two goals in the opening 25 minutes to lead the Braves to 3A district title in a 5-0 victory against Shadle Park.
F - Lindsay Balkenbush (Freeman, Sr) :: She created the first goal - a rebound tally by Peyton Brewer - and then scored the next two as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Colville to advance to the cross-over play-in round in which she set up the game-winning tally in a 1-0 victory on the road against Cashmere.
F - Hayden Crowley (Richland, Fr) :: Registered five assists on the week to lead the Bombers to a state berth, getting one each in the 4-1 win over Hanford and 3-2 shootout win against Chiawana before setting up three in the final game, a 4-1 victory against University.
F - Ally Gockley (Mt Spokane, Sr) :: After setting up the opening goal she tallied three of her own to lead the Wildcats to a 4-0 victory against Kennewick. She also set up the game-winning goal in their 1-0 victory against Southridge.
F - Kaitlin Harvey (East Valley, Jr) :: Scored the opening goal and set up the second as the Knights scored three in the second half for a 3-0 win against Cheney in the district final. She also scored all four goals in their 4-2 cross-over play-in victory against Ephrata.
F - McKenna Martinez (Richland, So) :: Scored two goals, including the winner, in a 4-1 victory against Hanford, the second goal in a 2-2 draw against Chiawana in which they prevailed via shootout and all four goals in a comeback 4-1 win against University to earn a state berth.
About HS Best XI - Each week INWsoccernews will release a list of the week’s best performances in the region, recognizing players at schools in the GSL, MCC, GNL and NEA. The list is extremely flexible and has no defined formation, despite featuring 11 players. The list is issued (typically) each Tuesday during the season, and the Player of the Week selection will receive an exclusive button honoring their selection.
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