EPHRATA — The Othello Huskies (1-1) claimed a 3-2 victory on the road against the Ephrata Tigers (0-3) for an early season nonleague matchup. Othello’s victory was brought about in part by two goals scored by junior Bella Garza. 

“We played good as a team, and we put in a good effort the whole entire game, I’m excited for the rest of the season,” said Garza. 

From the very start, it was a competitive match between Othello and Ephrata as both teams applied pressure on the opposing goalkeeper. The Huskies were the first to score with a kick straight into the back of the net by Bella Garza with about 23:30 left on the clock. 

The Huskies then scored again with about 17:55 left in the half to go up 2-0. The Tigers responded two minutes later with their first goal and then tied the game up before going into halftime. 

Both teams came out of the break determined to claim victory, and it would be Othello with a second goal by Garza to reclaim the lead.  

“My practice is really paying off,” said Garza. “I’m glad my effort is there and it takes 11 players to get to where I am.” 

Despite strong offensive and defensive efforts from the Tigers, the Huskies held on to claim victory. 

“It showed that we’re all together and we’re on the same page,” said Garza. “I’m glad that this season we’ve really stepped it up.” 

As the season progresses, the junior said she is looking forward to seeing the Huskies build even stronger team chemistry. 

Huskies Head Coach Victor Quiroz said he felt Othello played very well throughout the game. Even after being countered by two straight goals, the Huskies stuck to their gameplan of settling in, holding possession and building up opportunities rather than trying to force anything. 

"That second half we did a lot better and they defended well,” said Quiroz.  

The Huskies coach said Garza’s offensive efforts were a highlight for the team as she not only scored those two key goals but also almost had a third goal toward the end. 

“Her just pressing up and forcing that defender to make quick decisions and passing, that really opened up the game for us,” said Quiroz. 

Learning to communicate will be essential to the Huskies success this season with most of their struggles in the first half coming from not talking with one another on the field, he said. Through the first 40 minutes he noted times where the back line missed balls that would’ve been theirs had they communicated. 

“I really told them, ‘Hey, we need to communicate. If we’re going to score, communicate and build it, don’t force it,’” said the Huskies coach. “That was the three main points we had and going into that second half, that’s exactly what they did.” 

As the Huskies prepare for another nonleague matchup against a Central Washington Athletic Conference opponent, Quiroz said the team will continue building off the lessons gained Thursday. 

Ephrata’s Head Coach Gary Klepec said the Tigers played well throughout the close matchup. The team was working on a new formation they’re running for the season and so far it has been coming together in the last few weeks. 

“We played pretty well,” said Klepec. “We have three girls injured, so that’s hurt a lot, but we’ll have two more back here pretty quick.” 

Many active players on Ephrata’s roster are also battling injuries themselves, but even with that, he said the Tigers have maintained good ball movement, connections and passing. He feels the improvements they’ve seen even with injury have been coming through their new formation. 

Going forward, he wants the Tigers to push for more plays on offense and creating opportunities to score.  

“We’ve got to score in order to play better,” said Klepec. “That’s the major gal and we take it one game at a time; we’ll evaluate this tomorrow and talk about it and make adjustments.” 

With a few more weeks until league competition in the CWAC officially begins, the Tigers coach said he wants to utilize these early season games as learning moments. This will ensure Ephrata is dialed in for whatever challenges lie ahead.  

“I love this team,” said Klepec. “The girls are close knit, positive toward one another. It’s probably the most positive team I’ve ever had. They’re dialed in, they’re friends on and off the field, and this group works well together. It’ll come, we’re just putting things together.” 

The Tigers hosted Cle-Elum Saturday at 11 a.m., results were unavailable at the time of publication. Ephrata’s next game will be on the road against the Quincy Jackrabbits Tuesday at 6 p.m. 

The Huskies continue to battle on the road as they head to face East Valley Thursday at 6 p.m. 

BOX SCORE 

OTHL: 2-1: 3 

EPHT: 2-0: 2 

ROSTERS 

Othello 

Name, jersey 

JoJo Hernandez-Guevara, 0 

Mya Rivera, 1 

Khloe Valdez, 2 

Bella Garza, 3 

Parker Gordon, 4 

Jahaira Ayala, 5 

Piper Uebelacker, 6 

Brooklyn Hillman, 7 

Nayomi Agustin Herrera, 8 

Abbie Sorenson, 9 

Kate Mollotte, 11 

Paisley Sly, 12 

Alyiah Ruelas, 14 

Leah Montemayor, 15 

Aaliyah Van Cleve, 16 

Elizabeth Garcia-Herrera, 17 

Abcde Garza, 18 

Ezmee Perez, 19 

Autumn Weyns, 20 

Angely Peralta, 22 

Calley Sly, 23 

Miriam Garcia-Avila, 24 

Ephrata 

Name, jersey 

Aiyana Valle, 00/18 

Sophie Molitor, 1 

Ellie Molitor, 2 

Alexis St. Mary, 3 

McKinnley Graaff, 4 

Jill Linehan, 5 

Maddy Kellams, 6 

Maycee Black, 8 

Aliyah Lafferty, 9 

Brooklynn Sieverkropp, 10 

Paige Murray, 11 

Kaitlyn Wolther, 12 

Brooklynne Addink, 13 

Megan Truscott, 14 

Shannon Johnson, 15 

Avery Brewer, 16 

Skarlett Sanchez-Medina, 17 

Julie Cardoza, 19 

    Tigers players gather in celebration after scoring their first goal of the game against the Huskies Thursday evening.
  

    Tigers freshman Ellie Molitor and Huskies sophomore Elizabeth Garcia-Herrera battle for possession of the ball during Thursday’s matchup.
  

    Othello’s Khloe Valdez races ahead of Ephrata’s Kaitlyn Wolther Thursday evening in Ephrata.
  

    Brooklyn Hillman, a senior from the Huskies, and Maycee Black, a sophomore from the Tigers, rush toward the sideline as the two race for possession of the ball.
  

    Bella Garza from Othello moves the ball downfield as she makes her way toward the goal Thursday evening.