MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (4-9) were defeated 2-0 at home by the Eisenhower Cadets despite a gritty battle throughout the game. Head Coach Alysha Overland felt the tough loss.  

"It was a good game, a good game played by our girls," she said. "The second half, the girls came out with some fire. It hurts to lose that one. We're coming off a lot of momentum. The girls really wanted it, but I still think we're in a good spot. I'm optimistic for where we're headed." 

The Cadets earned both goals in the first half, scoring within the first three minutes after exploiting an opening in the Mavericks formation. The two teams went back and forth for about 27 minutes before Eisenhower found the net once more to give themselves a 2-0 lead at halftime. From there, the Mavericks defense took it to the Cadets, not allowing another goal. However, they were unable to capitalize on their own opportunities in the attack, including in the final minutes.

The last time the two teams faced off, the Cadets also earned the victory in a more commanding 6-0 result. Overland feels her team showed improvement since the last time they saw the Cadets on the pitch.  

"The girls are just doing the things that we were practicing, bringing some intensity to the field, bringing some intensity and energy in practice," she said. "We're seeing that out here. They're not dropping their heads when a goal gets scored on us; they're just picking it up and bringing more momentum to themselves, so that's just been a big game changer for us." 

Overland also praised the defensive end of the lineup for their strong performance. Players like Paislee Santisteban, Kamery Char, Mikayla Sawyer, Ariah Loiseau and Harlyn Magana were consistently disruptive to the Cadets' attack throughout the game.  

"Our defense holds their own in there," said the coach. "We've put multiple girls in the back, and they've been holding the line. This is (one of) Eisenhower's lowest scoring game (this season), so that's something to take away from this. We talked a lot about how to defend them in practice, and I think the girls put that on the field today."  

Despite the result, goalkeeper Emma Thompson put together a strong performance. The Cadets attack tested her multiple times throughout the game, and each time she – quite literally – put her body on the line to prevent another Eisenhower score.  

"This is one of Emma's best games I've seen her play, maybe in her career, but definitely this year," Overland said. "We've had a lot of talk about confidence and coming out strong and when to come out and using her voice back there. She definitely showed that tonight. I think she put on a show, that's for sure." 

The Mavericks still have much to play for in terms of the district tournament which kicks off on Nov. 3. They'll have games on the road against the Wenatchee Panthers and AC Davis Pirates and one more home match on Oct. 27 against Sunnyside.  

Overland is confident her players aren't going to allow this loss to derail the end goal of making districts and ultimately the 4A state tournament.  

"I don't think these girls are dropping their heads at all," she said. "They still have an end goal in sight, and they know where we fought ourselves back from last year, and I know they're capable of doing it again this year. Ultimately, we're just looking to make it to state, no matter what route we have to take to get there. That's the end game." 

BOX SCORE: 

ESHR: 2-0: 2 

MLHS: 0-0: 0 

    Paislee Santisteban (20) boots the ball up the field to an open teammate as the Mavericks try to advance their attack on Eisenhower.
  

    Moses Lake goalkeeper Emma Thompson (0) runs out of the goal to block a corner kick by Eisenhower. Thompson made several key saves for the Mavericks during Tuesday's game.
  

    The Mavs' Chelsea Gonzalez (11) navigates the Eisenhower defense during their game on Tuesday.