Rich Zoller can hardly believe his luck.
In his last year as Prosser girls coach, he had the opportunity to guide Mustangs freshman Helen Peterson, a virtually unstoppable forward who led the CWAC with 43 goals in 2008.
But when he was named head coach at Chiawana last winter, he would inherit yet another top forward in Erin Huisingh. The spry Riverhawks junior leads the team with 10 goals and five assists, and has already provided the first-year program with a number of thrilling moments.
"We're really lucky to have (Erin)," said Zoller, who said it's tough to compare her with Peterson, who used her size and strength to overpower opponents but that Huisingh may be a more balanced player overall.
"If you put Erin in the CWAC, she would probably score 50 goals," Zoller added. "She can shoot with her left just as well as her right. She works hard. She'll track back and help us win balls (at midfield)."
One of Huisingh's biggest highlights this season was scoring the game-tying goal against Pasco, her former team, and then assisting on the game-winning goal by Kendyl Reynolds in a 2-1 overtime win.
-- Meanwhile, Pasco is starting to find a rhythm after losing three of four CBBN games from Sept. 15-Oct. 3, putting the Bulldogs in a must-win situation in order to earn a favorable playoff draw.
But Pasco (7-4, 5-4 CBBN), which reached the 4A quarterfinals last year, has gone 3-0 over the last 1 1/2 weeks -- including a scrappy 3-0 win at Moses Lake -- and has outscored opponents 15-1 in that stretch to get itself back into position for a home berth.
"If we win out, we can do no worse than fifth. That third spot is coveted because we're trying to stay away from (a road trip to) Spokane," said Bulldogs coach Justin Carey, who credited the return of defender Missy Everson with helping get the team back on track.
"She returned five months early from her ACL tear," Carey said. "She's worked her tail off."
Everson has three goals and three assists in her last three games.
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Moses Lake girls make noise in CBBN 4A soccer
Moses Lake girls make noise in CBBN 4A soccer
The Richland girls soccer team has had a few redemption games over the years -- a second-chance meeting that allows a chance to even the score after a loss.
But never against Moses Lake, which has emerged as a surprise contender for the CBBN 4A crown this season.
The Chiefs (7-4, 6-2 CBBN 4A) got off to their best-ever league start at 5-0, including a 4-3 shootout victory over Richland in Moses Lake. That win confirmed what Bombers' coach Sara Elfering already knew: The Chiefs were for real.
Southridge's Johnson thinking forward to 100th goal
Southridge's Johnson thinking forward to 100th goal
The last time Southridge forward Heather Johnson faced the Hanford Falcons in a CBBN 3A girls soccer match, she got a taste of her own medicine.
The top-ranked Suns and No. 5 Falcons were tied 5-all after 90 minutes of regulation and overtime. But with starting goalkeeper Ingrid Stein still injured, Southridge coach Greg Sambrano called on Johnson to step in as the Suns' shootout goaltender.
"It's a lot of pressure. I totally feel for them now. It's scary and nerve-wracking," said Johnson, who went on to make a save in Southridge's eventual 4-2 shootout win.
Preview: Final 4 ultimate goal for Mid-Columbia girls soccer
Preview: Final 4 ultimate goal for Mid-Columbia girls soccer
Seven Mid-Columbia teams reached the 2010 girls state soccer tournament -- Chiawana (4A), Southridge and Hanford (3A), Othello and Prosser (2A), Kiona-Benton (1A) and Warden (2B).
Many of the same players have taken their place on the pitch in 2011. That could tell you one of two things: 1) The players who went to state want to return, and 2) the players who didn't will be even more eager to go.
Either way, area soccer fans are in for an exciting season.
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."
Lynx sign G Erin Thorn
Lynx sign G Erin Thorn
The Minnesota Lynx signed guard Erin Thorn on Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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