RICHLAND -- With several returning starters and a strong winning tradition backed by hard-working players, the Richland Bombers weren't going to stay down for long.
The Bombers are 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the CBBN, outscoring opponents 29-3 through their first six contests.
Richland coach Sara Elfering, a Bombers assistant from 2003-07, has seen the team come out of the gate strong. But even Elfering, who took over for Chris Smith before this season, wasn't expecting this.
"Absolutely not. Not with this schedule," she said. "But there's no way we have this in the bag. We know we still have to take care of business."
So far, that's what Richland has done, and without too much difficulty.
Granted, much of the scoring came in a ridiculous 18-0 rout of Kennewick, but the Bombers have posted a tough double-overtime win in Wenatchee and a pair of wins at home against league powerhouses Kamiakin and Southridge.
Part of the credit goes to Elfering for setting the bar high for her players, a trait she learned from Smith. But they also enjoy playing for the Richland grad, who won a state title with the Bombers in 1998.
"She's a really inspirational coach," said Bria Caldwell, a junior forward. "Sara likes to focus on the attack because our defense is pretty solid. We all key in on defense -- fill, cover and balance."
So far, Elfering can't complain with the results she's seen.
"Richland has always been well organized on defense," she said. "But we definitely want to be more dangerous (offensively). We want goals in the back of the net."
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Calmus leads Bombers to win
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Kirsten Calmus knows she's not blessed with a lot of natural speed, especially when she's playing hurt on a twisted ankle.
But the Richland forward knows how to put herself in the right place at the right time, leading her team to an important 3-2 CBBN 4A victory over Davis at Bomber Field.
"This was a big game because there's three teams (Davis, Moses Lake and Richland) tied for first in the standings," Calmus said.
Former teammate has hope for Solo
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RICHLAND — You should have heard by now, but in case you've been depriving yourself of the miracle of television, Richland's own Hope Solo has become a national media darling.
And not necessarily because of her exploits on the soccer field.
As a contestant on ABC's Dancing With the Stars , Solo has managed to survive five weeks with Latin Ballroom champ Maks Chmerkovskiy and impress a few judges along the way.
Moses Lake soccer makes history with win
Moses Lake soccer makes history with win
RICHLAND — You have to dig a while into the Big Nine record books before you find the last time the Richland girls soccer team lost a district championship match.
For the record, it was 1996 when the Kamiakin Braves handed the Bombers a 3-0 loss at Hanford High School. That was 15 years ago.
You'll be digging even longer if you're looking for Moses Lake's last district title. That's because it's never happened.
Calmus leads Richland to soccer win
Calmus leads Richland to soccer win
RICHLAND -- Kirsten Calmus knows she's not blessed with a lot of natural speed, especially when she's playing hurt on a twisted ankle.
But the Richland forward knows how to put herself in the right place at the right time, leading her team to an important 3-2 CBBN 4A victory over Davis at Bomber Field.
"This was a big game because there's three teams (Davis, Moses Lake and Richland) tied for first in the standings," Calmus said.
Southridge hoping for more soccer hardware
Southridge hoping for more soccer hardware
KENNEWICK -- A year after finishing third at the Class 3A girls state soccer tournament, the Southridge Suns have raised the bar yet again.
The Suns won 14 games in the CBBN 3A without a loss, a tremendous accomplishment considering the company they were in. Plus, they did it against the odds, playing much of the CBBN 3A league season without their returning all-league goalkeeper Ingrid Stein.
"I told a few people I didn't think anybody would make it through without losing a game, because our league is so competitive," Southridge coach Greg Sambrano said. "I don't know if being undefeated makes a statement, because league is league and the playoffs are a new season. If I could look into a crystal ball and see that we made the semis and stayed undefeated, I'd say it means a lot."
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