OTHELLO — After a hard fought district crossover against the East Valley (Spokane) Knights, the Othello Huskies won 2-0 to send their team to the state tournament for the first time since 2010. The game was won through two goals from Abcde Garza, who was delighted with what the team had accomplished. 

"Being part of this win, it's actually really exciting," said Garza. "I'm excited to see that we're finally making a difference in girls soccer history because it's never been that big here." 

The Huskies were quick to earn their first goal of the game from Abcde Garza. From there, the half looked to be all Othello as they controlled possession of the ball for the majority of the time.  

Othello had multiple opportunities on goal during the first half with Garza coming close with another shot and Khloe Valdez making a play, but both times the Knights' goalkeeper blocked the attempts. 

At the end of the half the Huskies had control of the ball in East Valley territory and a 1-0 lead.  

Starting the second half didn't see a drop in momentum from the Huskies but did see the Knights find some footing of their own. East Valley made a deep drive into Othello territory but through a quick play on defense, Garza once again was passed the ball and from the midfield raced up to score her second goal at about 10 minutes into the half. 

"Each goal it wasn't just me, it was my team too," said Garza. "Everything that was just going through my head was, 'I've got to do what I have to for my team. They're getting me here, I've got to capitalize for them.'" 

That second goal gave the Huskies room to breathe, but their attack didn't let up. Othello remained persistent on the ball and their goalkeeper Jojo Hernandez-Guevara made multiple blocks to hold the opposition scoreless.  

By the end of the final whistle, the Huskies claimed their victory 2-0 for a historic entry into state. 

"We're super freaking excited man," said Huskies Head Coach Victor Quiroz. "The girls finished (with a) clean sheet, they didn't allow a goal. To qualify for state for the first time in 16 years in front of our fans makes it so much sweeter." 

Supporters of the Othello Huskies filled the stands Saturday afternoon as they came in to cheer on their girls, which the coach said really contributed to how the Huskies performed. Getting as many people into the stands as possible for this game was a top priority for the team. 

"We were inviting everybody," said Quiroz. "I had my club girls here; we had their parents here. I told them, 'Invite your aunts, uncles, anybody, man, because it's going to be something special.'" 

This marked a huge milestone for the Huskies as a soccer community, he said, as it showed how strong the girls program has become over the years. 

"The last couple years we've been a couple games short, but this year they really set themselves," said the coach. "I was telling them this about our goals at the beginning of the year, making the districts and winning. They believed it and then this is the result of them believing and playing as a team and working hard." 

Quiroz expressed how proud he was of the girls' effort in Saturday's victory. Along with maintaining possession and scoring goals, he said this demonstrated a full team effort. 

Throughout the game every member of the Huskies bench stayed warmed up and ready, with each getting time on the field to contribute in the victory. 

"I wanted everybody to be part of this special moment," said Quiroz. "That's why I was getting the girls in there and they played well." 

After years of hard work to get to this point, Huskies senior Brooklyn Hillman, entered Saturday's game with the mindset to inspire her teammates to fight for every ball no matter what. When the game was over, the moment of finally qualifying for state was a bit surreal for her. 

"I can't believe it, I'm just so excited," said Hillman. "I knew we would be able to do it and now that we're top 16 in the state we know we can compete now. It's like, we can win any game and I'm just super proud of how far we've come." 

The senior recalled each postseason in her four year career with Othello, always coming close with districts, but never getting past the first round. Now she and her teammates are putting the Huskies back into state for the first time in 16 years. 

"I'm proud of our team and I knew we were able to do it and we'll see how far state takes us," said Hillman. 

For Garza, the team dynamic for the Huskies means everything to their ability to claim victories so far this season. 

"Our team dynamic is really a positive, energetic, silly, goofing off team," said Garza. "When (opponents) think of Othello they think we're going to be an easy team. No. We come out hard, we come out aggressive, and we're here to win." 

The Othello Huskies will be competing in the first round of the WIAA state tournament held Nov 10 and 11. Exact times for the games were unavailable at press time, but will be updated as they become available. 

BOX SCORE 

EVLY: 0-0: 0 

OTHL: 1-1: 2 

    Othello's Brooklyn Hillman battles along the sideline against two Knights players during Saturday's district crossover.
  

    Huskies goalkeeper JoJo Hernadez-Guevara prepares to send the ball back into play after a stop early on in Saturday's game.
  

    Jahaira Ayala from the Huskies moves with the ball in the midfield in Saturday's win over East Valley (Spokane).
  

    Autumn Weyns from Othello prepares to boot the ball across the field late in the district crossover game.
  

    Huskies Head Coach Victor Quiroz shows his players in a postgame huddle their poster of team goals and how they accomplished their top goal of winning in districts.