OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies soccer team (6-10) fell 1-2 to the Prosser Mustangs on Saturday afternoon in the play-in round of the Central Washington Athletic Conference District tournament. Huskies head coach Victor Quiroz said he was proud of how the girls fought this season. 

“It was a tough game, they’re a tough team, we’re a tough team,” said Quiroz. “We’re a young team, they’re an experienced team and they kind of showed that today.” 

The Huskies took the lead in the first half, earning a score early on and holding Prosser scoreless. Both teams’ defenses remained vigilant through the heavy rainfall that started in the second half, with Prosser making a score in the middle of the half, which sent the game into overtime. 

Quiroz said there was a momentum change in the game after Prosser scored their goal in the second half, but the Huskies picked it back up and kept pace with their opponent. 

The two teams battled hard throughout overtime with the Huskies putting heavy pressure on the goal, but neither team was able to score, making the game decided by penalty kicks. There were eight rounds of penalty kicks as the Huskies and Mustangs kept matching each other, but the Huskies, with a missed kick, would fall and end the game 1-2. 

Despite the loss, Quiroz said this young Huskies squad is looking to have a promising future. 

“I think it shows that they could play with anybody,” he said. “That Prosser team has been good for years and I think it kind of proves that we’re a young team, but we’re an experienced team.” 

This loss in districts will set the team up for success next season as they use it as a learning curve. Quiroz said this game proved that they can compete and if the Huskies come into each game with their all, they will have success. 

Quiroz said the thing he was most impressed by this season was the growth that the girls showed. The group was comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, who had a close run in the postseason. 

The Huskies are going to look to build on the chemistry they formed this season and carry the momentum from this season into the offseason, he said. This was a tough loss, but he said this taught them what it takes to win. 

“I’m just super proud of how the girls played,” said Quiroz. “Throughout the season, they demonstrated that they belong, they’ve beat some top teams in the CWAC, and I think for the next couple years they’re going to compete, and I’m super proud of how well they came together toward the end of the season.” 

BOX SCORE: 

OTHL: 1-0-4: 1
PRSS: 0-1-5: 2 

OTHELLO ROSTER:   

Name, Jersey  

Josie “Jojo” Hernandez, 0  
Mya Rivera, 1
Khloe Valdez, 2
Bella Garza, 3
Arely Porfirio, 5
Piper Uebelacker, 6
Brooklyn Hillman, 7
Mili Flores, 8
Abigail Sorenson, 9
Kate Mollote, 10
Leilano Macedo, 11
Angie Monday, 12
Miriam Garcia, 16
Abcde Garza, 18
Aaliyah Ruelas, 14
Ezmee Perez, 19
Kimberly Espinabarros, 20
Anais Ayala, 21
Maria Deleon, 24 

    Huskies player Aaliyah Ruelas kicks the ball toward an open teammate during the play-in round for districts against Prosser.
  

    Abcde Garza from the Huskies sprints past a Prosser player as she heads toward the goal.
  

    Huskies goalkeeper Jojo Hernandez blocks a kick from a Prosser player during the overtime PKs.
  

    Piper Uebelacker from the Huskies sends the ball flying to midfield after gaining possession.
  

    Huskies player Abigail Sorenson maneuvers the ball around a Prosser player as she makes her way toward the goal.