MATTAWA – On Thursday, the Knights went on the road and defeated the Wahluke Warriors 4-0. Knights’ junior Maggie Frank said the game was a good opportunity to build confidence as a team.   

“It's definitely an improvement from the last couple games,” Frank said. “The last couple games, it's been hard for us connect passes a lot, and in this game, there's a couple moments where we were connecting passes really well. I think that's definitely an improvement.”   

The Knights were productive in the first half, putting two in the net to take a 2-0 lead. The Warriors created several opportunities to score after moving the ball into Knights territory, but were unable to capitalize.  

Warriors head coach Cele Lopez said their struggles this season come from being a young team that’s learning.   

“I think we have a solid team, we have a good offensive team, but we're struggling on defense. We lost all defenders last year, and we're in the middle of trying to figure it out, the switching, the adjustments on the who's covering, who's marking, how wide do we need to be on the full backs? When do we need to stay compact?” Lopez said.   

Knights Head Coach Jens Jensen gave his team a passionate pep talk during the halftime break. He said it was important to make sure the team knew the job was not done.   

“You can't come here and only be able to play a half. We have got to stay in it. We have to build over the season. We've got to not only build our fitness but (also) our mental strength, I was trying to focus on the fact that we needed to make the game more predictable, and we needed to keep the ball more and try to find some possession,” Jensen said.   

The Knights must have taken his speech to heart as they found two more scores in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Jensen said his players began to control the ball more which created passing lanes that set up scoring opportunities.   

“When they're able to make passes, the defensive line can't just drop. Somebody's got to step up and it pulls them out of shape, and then we were trying to open them up by getting the ball out into the wings a little bit more,” he said.   

The Knights continued to dominate possession of the ball for the rest of the second half and secured the 4-0 win over the Warriors. Lopez spoke highly of senior Lorraine Badillo and her ability to be a leader for the Warriors.   

“That's a girl that you want to have on your team,” Lopez said. “She deserves to have a great season. She was one of those players that didn't know how to kick a ball, and she has made a lot of improvement. I picked (her) to cover up on defense. She's doing a great job. She cannot do it on her own. She needs a little bit of support and we're trying to figure it out.”  

Lopez said he is confident his team can turn its season around going forward. He said as long as the coaches continue to give them the tools to succeed, it’s going to be up to the players to take advantage of them.   

For the Knights, this game was a good opportunity to fine-tune the smaller details. Jensen said he is hoping the game can slow down for his players. Prioritizing ball possession more will help them build more confidence as the season goes on. He wants them to become more proactive than reactive.   

Frank shared similar sentiments after her and her teammates’ Thursday win.   

“I feel really hopeful about this team. We didn't lose too many seniors, and we gained some freshmen that are pretty decent, and so like, potentially going to state, I think is really possible,” Frank said.   

The Warriors hit the road to play College Place on Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.  

The Knights return to the field Sept. 23 to host Zillah at 6 p.m.  

BOX SCORE:  

ROYL: 2-2: 4  
WHLK: 0-0: 0 

    The Wahluke Warriors Alexandra Rodriguez, right, maintains control of the ball while Knights’ player Maggie Frank, left, brings defensive pressure. Knights Head Coach Jens Jensen said his team needed to improve on ball possession.
  

    The Knights’ Grace Soliz kicks the ball back into play after preventing a Wahluke score. Knights player Maggie Frank said the team improved their passing against Wahluke on Thursday.
  

    The Knights’ Maggie Frank (14) goes to pass the ball as Morgan Harlow (16) of the Warriors tries to intercept her. Frank said she is hopeful the Knights can make a state run this season.
  

    Maggie Frank, left, and Alexandra Rodriguez battle it out for ball control in their match on Thursday. The Knights scored two goals early in the second half to create a steep lead over the Wahluke Warriors.