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Central Valley nips Bullpups in soccer

G-Prep’s Chelsea Kerley looks to escape from CV
G-Prep’s Chelsea Kerley looks to escape from CV's Savannah Hoekstra (19), Katie Weisbeck, center, and Allison Jordan, left. (Jesse Tinsley)
Steve Christilaw Correspondent

Senior Alex Richardson scored a pair of goals 2 minutes apart midway through the first half to lead Central Valley to a 2-1 victory over Gonzaga Prep in a District 8 4A match Tuesday at Albi Stadium, giving the Bears the No. 1 seed from the Greater Spokane League into the State 4A playoffs.

The Bears (12-4) will host the Eisenhower Cadets in a first-round playoff game Saturday at a site to be determined, likely at Gonzaga Prep. The Bullpups (12-6), the No. 2 seed, host Chiawana (Pasco) in an afternoon game, likely at Albi Stadium.

Richardson scored the first goal in the 18th minute of play, heading home a splendid cross from teammate Paige Ellingson, who caused headaches for G-Prep with her speed throughout the first half.

“It was kind of an, ‘Oh, crap’ moment for me,” Richardson laughed. “I saw where Paige was going to beat her defender and I realized I had to get there for the cross. I almost made the cross with my nose, because I was almost late getting there.”

Ellingson set up the second goal with her speed as well, beating her defender inside the penalty area, where she was brought down from behind to earn the penalty kick.

“My sister (senior Nicole) usually takes those penalty kicks, but when I looked up I saw that she was off the field at that time, so it was another, ‘Oh, crap’ moment for me,” Alex Richardson said. “It felt good to get a couple of goals and take a lead, but 2-0 can be the most dangerous score in soccer and I think we got a little complacent.”

The Bears maintained their lead through the first half, but the Bullpups halved it in the 43rd minute when freshman Wendy Gregory got a foot on a ball at the top of the penalty area and lofted a shot over the outstretched fingers of CV goalkeeper Danae Brooks.

“(G-Prep) scored early enough in the second half that it kind of woke us up,” Richardson said. “Our midfield did a good job of shutting them down. I think we’re just now beginning to play our best soccer. I’m excited.”

CV coach Andres Monrroy said his team has been on a solid roll the past three games.

“This was our kind of a game – we have excellent speed on the outside and we do well with that quick-strike attack,” he said. “I know it doesn’t sound quite right to say it, but I think we played our best game of the year in the 3-0 loss to Mead (in the regular-season finale). We didn’t score in that game, but I think everyone played very well.”

Lewis and Clark 3, Mead 2: Julia Moravec assisted on the game-tying goal and scored the winner as the Tigers (15-1-1) erased a 2-0 deficit over a span of 6 minutes in the second half to beat the Panthers (12-3-1) at Albi.

Mead held a 2-0 advantage through the first half on two goals by Anna Kessler and solid play from keeper Jordan Hurley. But the Panthers couldn’t hold back the Tigers, who advance to play at Richland in the opening round of the regional tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Gaby Kennedy gave LC its first goal in the 50th minute. Just 6 minutes later, the Tigers had taken the lead, as Moravec scored her 16th goal of the season. She also has 10 assists.