eKu Allows 107 Goals in Nine Years to Lady Bombers - By Dina Reyes
In a competitive game between Richland and Kennewick, there is only one winner. The winner of the game ended with a score of 7-0. The history between the two schools makes the game more interesting but also doesn't surprise us. Kennewick was never a threat to Richland's soccer. Just this year, the ratio of wins to losses doesn't even compare. Richland sits near the top of the league with a 6-1 record, whereas Kennewick is near the bottom with a 1-5 record. Richland has won nine consecutive years (as far back as our records show) with a staggering goal difference of 100-8 in favor of the Bombers. eKu could be struggling more recently due to the fact that they did not have a varsity team last year, but the last decade has shown this isn't just a fluke.
The first half of the game was a lot of back-and-forth playing. The ball ricocheted off of players and poles which resulted in many shots on goal. Richland had possession most all the game, while Kennewick was playing more of a defense tactic. Many fouls were not called on Richland resulting in an advantage to Kennewick, but that didn't matter. On their eighth shot of the game, RHS scored their first goal. Madeleine Morasch scored with an assist from Bella Bunnage, who leads the team in assists. Soon after our first goal, Madeleine Morasch ran up the middle of the field and booted the ball up scoring the second goal of the game. After that, Bella Bunnage ran up the field ready to score when an unexpected offsides call was called.
The whistles were blown ending the first half. During halftime, the Lady Bombers find a way to keep the fun of the game going at all times. They made a celebratory dance circle, and a player did the worm while the players cheered.
Back into the action of the second half, Richland gets into the game with more energy than before. In the first two minutes of the second half, a goal was scored, although the goal was negated by a penalty. Directly after this shot, Kylee Kukes scores with an assist from none other than Bella Bunnage, again. The girls still had their heads in the game and just three minutes after the last goal, another duo scores. Mackenzie Thonney and Bella Bunnage score back-to-back!
A foul was called against a Richland player, resulting in Kennewick being on our side of the field. However, Richland got the ball back with ease and up to the Lion's goal again. Screams were heard from the sidelines of the soccer teams, and it turns out, that a player on the field kicked the ball up and it hit the Richland Soccer teammate, making the spectators laugh. With nine shots on goal in the second half, Bella Bunnage ran to Kennewick's goalkeeper, juked past her, and was ready to kick and score the ball being only a few feet away when the goalie came out trying to block the ball. The goalie ended up tripping Bunnage. Payton Anderson runs up behind the mess and cleans up with a score.
Soon after the fifth goal of the game, Bella Bunnage ran through the players, and took a shot at the goal, making it 6-0. Richland was dominating the field scoring goal after goal. There were many goals that were penalized or called out but the last goal of the day was by Bella Arroyo. She ran through the defense and put one in the net. The end game whistles were blown and Richland cheered leaving Kennewick silent. 7-0 was the final score and the game Richland played was completely offensive and skillful. This game was an excellent chance for Justin Almquist to exercise his bench.
I was able to interview Tasha Bunnage, Bella's mother, after the game who said she "...thought they were a little slow to start, but starting the second half there was a change in pace which was good." When talking about her daughter Bella´s success in the game she said, "As a parent, I always taught her that assists were just as important as goals, so I was really happy to see that she could help her team." Tasha added, "It was a beautiful night for a win."
I asked Madeleine Morasch how it felt to score the first two goals back-to-back. "It was really cool to come out and be able to finish those goals and bring some energy to the team." She believed the "competition was really within our team and trying to put things we practice into the game." Lastly, when talking about her pride in the team and how they played, Maddy said she was, "very proud of all the girls and happy to see everyone getting on the field." Overall, Richland had a victorious game against Kennewick with many goals scored. The team remains strong and is ready to play Southridge next.
