By Mike Maltais
The combination of a slow start and injuries worked against the Liberty Bell High School varsity soccer girls in a 5-3 league loss at Tonasket last Thursday (Sept. 18).
Following the cancellation of a scheduled game against Manson earlier in the week, the Lady Lions got their second, longer look at the Tigers – who they beat, 2-0, in abbreviated play at the Okanogan Jamboree earlier this month.
Coach Lincoln Post summed the game as “not our best day,” as the Lady Lions missed on several scoring opportunities and lost the services of freshman goalkeeper Lauren Ochoa with a back injury.
Senior Hannah Hogness stepped in as keeper for the injured Ochoa, but lack of experience at the position combined with repeated shots on goal by the Tigers put Liberty Bell at a distinct disadvantage.
Tonasket jumped out to an early lead and capitalized on their tough, physical roster to hold Liberty Bell in the rear view mirror despite scores by Mia Kennedy, Sally Thornton-White and Corinne Dietz.
The Lady Lions were scheduled to face the Tigers at Entiat on Tuesday (Sept. 23) and will host Bridgeport for Liberty Bell’s league home opener at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 25). The varsity soccer girls will be in Omak on Saturday (Sept. 27) for a non-league game and at Oroville on Tuesday (Sept. 30) for a league game.
