Bombers Slide Past Winless Central Valley - By Bradley Beck
Going into this Tuesday night matchup, the Lady Bombers had a record of 15-1, and the CV Bears remained without a win at 0-13. This game served as the first round of playoffs for the Bombers, crossing paths with a Greater Spokane League (GSL) team. Recently, Central Valley has had an unfortunate shift of sports culture over there in Spokane. Brand new Ridgeline High School in Liberty Lake has been able to score the majority of athletes out of the valley, leaving the once-powerful Bears in a tough spot. Ridgeline is in their second year as a school and athletics program, meaning they can now compete in the playoffs. They are currently the number-one team in the GSL and are a contender that the Bombers may see later this season.
Richland has been on a tear this season, only dropping one contest against the Chiawana Riverhawks, whom the Bombers faced again midway through the season and beat. Both the Bombers and the Riverhawks were crowned Mid-Columbia Conference co-champions at the end of the regular season. Chiawana now takes on the GSL, facing off against Lewis & Clark and then Gonzaga Prep.
Richland vs. Central Valley was not particularly a high-stakes game, but a win for the Bombers helps them in seeding. As for the Bears, a win would merely boost morale at this point in the season. Coming into this match, Central Valley had scored 6 times and given up 75 goals in just 13 games. Night and day compared to the Bombers, with a season total of 54 goals scored and just 7 allowed. Alyssa Marsh has had a phenomenal season between the posts for Richland, allowing no more than two goals in a game all season. On the other hand, Central Valley’s defense has been dominated in every game. The Bears have given up at least five goals in every single game so far.
At the time of kick-off, the weather had made itself apparent. 45 degrees and raining non-stop with a moderate side wind, the players were in for a cold one. The game started with a stagnant Richland offense campaign by the Bombers. Although keeping most of the possession time, the Bombers were unable to convert on several gifted opportunities. Despite Central Valley’s defensive reputation, the Bear’s goalkeeper, Mallory Olson, saved a handful of Richland’s weak initial shots early in the match. Senior forward Madeleine Morasch was able to jumpstart the Bombers’ offense with a nicely struck goal with 15 minutes left in the first half. At the end of the first half, the Bombers held a slight lead of 1-0. The Bears' defense had a well-played half, but they did not get any help downfield, as CV had no shots on goal.
The second half started off with a bang as sophomore forward Kylee Kukes was able to weave around the Bears' defense and extend Richland’s lead. Senior forward Bella Bunnage had a couple of missed opportunities and was unable to score by this point in the game. At 19 minutes left, Senior defender Tiffany Turner was able to use her head to chip in a ricocheted shot and put the Bombers up by three. With 2 minutes left in the game, junior forward Naomi Redd was able to tack on another goal. Nearing the end of this contest, the Bombers offense had tired out the Bears. Central Valley was caught on their heels in the dying minutes of the game as Bella Bunnage knocked one in off a corner kick from Tiffany Turner.
Cold and wet, Richland was able to shut out the Bears at Bomber Field with a final score of 5-0. Central Valley had given themselves no chance, ending the game with zero shots on goal. All the star goalkeeper Alyssa Marsh could do was stand in the rain and watch her offense march down the field. This dominant match over the Bears proves how many threats the Bombers have in all facets. Tiffany Turner had a great game as a defender, also serving as a threat for corner kicks. After this game, the Bombers will travel up to Spokane and take on the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups. This Richland team has looked strong all season and has no intention of depleting their playoff run.
