In a showdown of last season's top two, the MCC season kicked off with a narrow 1-0 victory for the defending champion Pasco Bulldogs on the road at Richland Tuesday evening.
The newcomers from Oregon were able to pick up their first-ever MCC league victory in their opener, avoiding the lengthy wait that the Hermiston ladies endured during the fall campaign that saw them go 10 league contests before getting their first win.
The opening day for the MCC came along much later in the season than usual as the excessive snowfall in March led to the league overhauling the schedule, reducing the slate to each team playing one another only once this season compared to years past. Most of the league games that were previously scheduled prior to Tuesday's openers were changed to non-league meetings - if they were played.
Pasco 1-0 Richland
Just two minutes into the contest a ball up the left was crossed in by Ethan Legard and headed home by Ivan Cortez for what stood as the winner for the Bulldogs, who remain a perfect 6-0 including their non-league slate.
P: Ivan Cortez (Ethan Legard) 2
GK - P: Danny Puga; R: NA
Here's a math question for you to consider... when 2 undefeated teams play each other, how many will still be undefeated when the game is over????— SWX Overtime (@SWX_Overtime) April 3, 2019
Answer: 1⃣@pascoathletics only needed a single goal to get the job done, but they squeak past a TOUGH @bomberathletics team #Dawgs pic.twitter.com/5F15JbDr1A
Hanford 1-2 Hermiston
The Oregon side earned its first league victory in the MCC, rallying against a Hanford side that remains winless after struggling through non-league play.
HAN: Ethen Henning 8
HER: Moises Lopez (Coleman Solano) 34
HER: Alexis Leal (Emilio Leal) 70
GK - HER: Juan Navarrete 11 saves; HAN: D'Andre Forbes 11 saves
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The Blue Devils went ahead early in the affair but saw the Braves tie it up from the spot in the 13th. A spilled save attempt in the 34th allowed Julio Tapia, the second leading scorer in the league a year ago, to tap in the go-ahead goal and he would add a second after the break to ensure the victory.
WW: Carlos Zurita
K: Chace Jenkins (pen) 13
WW: Julio Tapia 34
WW: Julio Tapia (Agustin Arceo)
GK - WW: Aldo Feria 3 saves, 1 GA (70 mins) & Jeffrey Ruiz 2 saves (10 mins); K: Jorge Mungia
@WaHi_Athletics didn't have to travel on Tuesday, so it makes sense that they felt right at home against @KamiakinBraves— SWX Overtime (@SWX_Overtime) April 3, 2019
🔵😈 went to work to beat the Braves 3-1 and prove that maybe the @MCC_Athletics 4A class could be even deeper than we thought 👀#DevilishlyGood pic.twitter.com/syz9ncVrD4
Chiawana 2-0 Kennewick
After a scoreless first half a corner from Carter Giles resulted in a scramble in the box that was finished by Ryan Lowry to break the deadlock. Some excellent build-up play led to the second with Vinicio Verduzco and Luis Lopez combining to find Jason Aragon for the insurance goal. Freshman JV squad keeper Michael Kot closed out the shutout for a Chiawana side that went into the opener with a 3-3 record.
C: Ryan Lowry (Carter Giles) 56
C: Jason Aragon (Vinny Verduzco, Luis Lopez) 70
GK - C: Michael Kot; K: NA
Note: Thank you to the coaches that reported info from opening matches last night. Parents/Players - if you see missing or incorrect info, please be sure to talk to your respective coach about sending info to INWsn.
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