A year ago the Richland Bombers finished tied for the top 4A Mid-Columbia spot with a 10-4 record behind freshman duo McKenna Martinez and Ashley Tonthat. Martinez has picked up right where she left off last season and was key in keeping the Bombers on pace with Chiawana in the win column last week. After an easy contest against Kennewick in which she netted a hat-trick, she played a pivotal role on the road against Southridge where they found themselves trailing at halftime. She quickly found Brielle Fillmore two minutes into the second half and in the 61st scored what held as the game-winner.
Through games of Saturday, September 8
M - Chelsea Le (Gonzaga Prep, Jr) :: Scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Lake City. She also scored the first goal in a two-goal comeback for a 2-2 non-league draw at Mt Spokane. She finished the week with an assist on the Bullpups' lone goal in a 3-1 loss to Seattle Prep.
M - Brynn Van Orden (Freeman, Sr) :: Scored three goals in the Scotties 10-0 win against Newport and tallied a goal and three assists in a 4-0 win at Riverside.
M/F - Maddie Morgan (Kamiakin, Sr) :: Hot streak continued with a first half brace as the Braves won 2-1 at Richland. She also scored the equalizer in a 1-1 non-league draw at West Valley (Yakima).
M/F - Frankie Schade (West Valley, Sr) :: Scored both goals in a 2-1 win against Shadle Park and went on to score the first three goals in a 4-0 romp against Pullman in their first league game of the season.
F - Lindsay Balkenbush (Freeman, Sr) :: Scored the first three goals in the first 14 minutes and finished with five goals in a 10-0 win over Newport. Scored two goals in the first half of their 4-0 win at Riverside.
F - Ally Gockley (Mt Spokane, Sr) :: Scored the first and fourth goals for the Wildcats in a 5-0 win against Post Falls. Also tallied the opening goal and assist in the first eight minutes of a 2-2 non-league draw against Gonzaga Prep. She capped the week with a goal in the 5-1 win against West Valley.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK :: F - McKenna Martinez (Richland, So) :: Scored the first three goals for the Bombers in a 9-0 win at Kennewick and then led them to a comeback win at Southridge by setting up the equalizer and scoring the game-winner.
F - Abby McLellan (Lakeside, Fr) :: Set up two of the first three goals and went on to score two of her own in a 6-2 victory at Colville, and then tallied the first two goals in a 4-0 win against Medical Lake.
F - Marinn Nelson (Hanford, Sr) :: Goal and assist in a 2-0 victory at Walla Walla.
F - Savannah Taylor (Chiawana, Fr) :: Scored the first two goals and created the own goal in a 3-0 victory at Walla Walla.
F - Jessie Thomas (Deer Park, Sr) :: Scored the first three goals for the Stags in a 4-0 win against rival Riverside. She also scored twice in their 11-0 drubbing of Newport.
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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