MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (10-7-1) were eliminated in the first round of the 4A state tournament 8-0 by the Issaquah Eagles. It’s always hard to see a season come to an end, Head Coach Alysha Overland said, but the Mavericks have a lot to be proud of.

“This program hasn’t seen state in 10 years now, so the girls battling through everything we’ve faced this season, and getting to that point, I think we’re all just very excited and still proud of the point that they got to,” Overland said.

Overland said her players competed well in their game against Issaquah. They were able to hold the Eagles to a 2-0 lead going into halftime. However, in the second half the game escaped the Mavericks as Issaquah put up six goals to seal the win. Overland said the Eagles were a strong team that was well rounded and were efficiently passing the ball.

“It’s always hard when the season comes to an end. We had a tough draw going into the first round, but I think the girls were excited about it, and ultimately it was a great accomplishment,” she said.

As the season progressed, the Mavericks began to show more grit, Overland said. They showed an ability to play the full 80 minutes and demonstrate strong team chemistry, win or lose. The Mavs accomplished all of this amid numerous adversities, she said.

“We’ve overcome a lot of things between injuries, losing a couple of girls, gaining a couple of girls back that we weren’t sure if we were going to see them on the field, which has been awesome, and the girls just coming together and overcoming a lot of things that we dealt with,” Overland said.

The Mavericks saw Amaya Perez and Yvanna Lawton return to the field from injury this season. Overland said at one point there was concern they would end up missing the entire season. However, they put in the work to return to the field and make an impact for the Mavericks on their way to a state tournament appearance.

“On the mental side, on the physical side, I think I saw a lot of growth in their overall fight together,” Overland said. “Backing each other up when it comes to things that happen on the field. I just saw that grow more and more as the season went on, and especially in the last three games that got us to the point of even being in state.”

The Mavericks’ team chemistry continued to show even when players were injured. Overland said players like Reese Prescott and Reese Char brought a lot of energy from the sidelines and pump up their teammates throughout games this season. She said it created a dynamic where everyone was playing for each other.

“We lost two (and) now they’re providing energy from the side, but we gained two that we were excited to gain back, two seniors at that. So being able to play for them and get them to the point where we didn’t end their season early was pretty great to see,” Overland said.

Looking back to highlights of the season, Overland said any time they played against West Valley was a bright spot for her. In those games, she saw the potential this team had to be successful.

She pointed to their second game against the Rams where they defeated them 3-1 at home. The Mavericks passed the ball well and dominated ball control throughout the game. She said they had an energy shift from that point going forward.

She added finally defeating Eastmont to advance to state was a highlight moment for her this season after dropping to them in the first two games this season.

“To come out and fight in that game and watch all 80 minutes, no matter what the score was, (for) them to fight through it was a big turning point. I feel like it all reminds me of the potential that these girls had,” she said.

The Mavericks will graduate seven seniors, according to Overland. She said they are losing a lot of personalities and will have some gaps to fill next season. However, she is confident in the current junior class and other players who will likely move up from junior varsity to carry the torch.

Though it is a larger senior class for girls soccer, Overland said she has already started planning ahead for next season. Once June rolls around, she hopes to get players on the field and begin formulating her game plan for another successful season.

“The season’s over now, but my wheels start turning for things that we can improve early. My assistant coach and I are already having conversations, and it’s going to start the second that we can start getting them on the field,” she said.

This season will hold a special place in Overland’s heart, she said. The seniors this year were freshman when she first began as the head coach four years ago. She said it’s bittersweet to see them graduate and move on from the program as they have seen her grow as a coach too.

As they move into the offseason, Overland is excited with the trajectory of this team going forward these next few years.

“I’m super excited for what we have in store. I’m super excited about the future of this program, and I definitely don’t think that this is the last time that we’re going to see state as a team,” Overland said.

    Kamery Char, right, battles with a West Valley player for ball control earlier this season. Head Coach Alysha Overland said the Mavericks' potential showed the most in their matchups against the Rams this season.
  

    Reese Prescott (2) looks on during the Mavericks’ game against Wenatchee earlier this season. Prescott missed the end of the season due to injury but remained a strong presence on the sideline, according to Head Coach Alysha Overland.
  

    Miciah Higley (3) advances the ball upfield against West Valley earlier this season. Head Coach Alysha Overland said her team showed a lot of grit this season.