OTHELLO — The Huskies soccer team (14-6-1) was defeated 3-2 in a heartbreaker against Columbia River. It was win or die trying for the Huskies, according to head coach Bernie Garza.

“Win or die trying and leave it on the line that way. When you win the game, you say, ‘I gave it my best,’ or if you happen to lose, you’re not regretting anything. It was devastating,” he said.

The Huskies were able to get on the board first in the first 10 minutes after Eric Cruz passed the ball to Asaph Alfaro, who lined up his shot and fired away. Alfaro fired a right-footed shot from the left side of the goal and threaded the needle in the upper right corner of the net.

“Beautiful shot, and that got us all motivated and excited, and their guys were hooting and hollering. We were excited as coaches and we got (Columbia River) on their heels, and then they knew they were in for a battle,” Garza said.

Columbia River would struggle to pressure the Huskie net until late in the first half when one of their players was fouled and awarded a penalty kick. They capitalized and scored off the penalty kick and tied the game heading into halftime.

At halftime, Garza tried to encourage his players to stay in the game and not be shaken up by Columbia River’s score. When the second half began, Columbia River would earn another penalty kick, but the Huskies blocked it.

However, Columbia River worked down the left side of the field on a breakaway and scored their second goal of the game, taking the lead 2-1.

“Our guys didn’t want to foul, so they’re trying to be physical (but) not trying to be too physical,” Garza said.

Moments later, Columbia River scored again off a corner kick, increasing their lead to 3-1. At this point, the stakes were higher for the Huskies. Garza switched up the lineup to be more aggressive on offense. He took a defender out and put in another forward. This approach paid off when Johndel Garcia got control of the ball and scored their second goal of the game.

The intensity began to mount when officials added an additional three minutes to the half.

“There is so much emotion. I thought the game was over, and then three minutes, so you’re alive again, and you’re down a goal, and we’re attacking,” Garza said.

Columbia River began to keep the ball in the corner of the field in order to waste time. The Huskies were able to regain possession and took two more shots at the net but were unsuccessful.

Columbia River won the quarter-final match 3-2. Despite the loss, Garza said there was a lot to be proud of when looking back on what his team accomplished.

“We surprised a lot of people, and we did a lot of great things. I mean, the district title and we got the No. 6 seed in the state playoffs,” Garza said.

The Huskies will graduate 11 seniors and anticipate making another postseason run next year despite getting younger.

Box Score:   
OTHL: 0 2 2
COLR: 1 2 3

    Jose Cabrera battles with a Grandview opponent earlier this year. Cabrera scored a game-winning goal in that game.
  

    Head coach Bernie Garza receives a Gatorade bath after winning the district championship earlier this year. Garza said his team exceeded a lot of other coaches' expectations this season.
  

    Irving Guzman passes the ball in a previous game. Guzman has been a key player on offense this season for the Huskies.