Weiser nips Baker soccer girls

“It was our first game, and I have basically all new girls,” said Baker coach DeeDee Clarke. “I thought the girls pulled together pretty well. They played hard.”

Clarke said the Bulldogs were without defender Mackenzie Warner, who was out with an injury. Warner is expected back for Baker’s next math against Umatilla.

“With Mackenzie out I had to pull Robbie (Langrell) baack to help out and we didn’t have any motion up front,” Clarke said.

Junior Laura Wilson and freshman Rachel Streifel split time in the Baker goal — Wilson in the first half, and Streifel in the second. Both also split keeping duties in the JV match following the varsity game.

“Laura had an outstanding day,” Clarke said. “I can’t say enough about her right now. She would have to be my MVP right now.

“Rachel did well too. But, being a freshman she had some first-game jitters. But I think she’ll come around,” Clarke said.

The teams battled to a 0-0 halftime tie. Baker dominated play in the middle of the field, but couldn’t complete any scoring runs. The Bulldogs had several runs in the Weiser end of the field but were called many times for being offside.

“We just couldn’t complete a run,” Clarke said. “I have a lot of young girls and they haven’t quite figured out yet about the offside rule.

Baker’s best first-half chance came from freshman Kyana Chaves who hit the crossbar with a shot from inside the penalty box.

Weiser scored its first goal early in the second half when Mekenzie Messick took a long crossing pass and beat Streifel from in front of the net.

Emma Coats scored Weiser’s second goal on a penalty kick a couple minutes later when Baker was whistled for a hand ball in the box.

Baker and Weiser tied 2-2 in the junior varsity match. Tonita Britt and Marissa Ermovick scored Baker’s goals.

“I’m so proud of my JV girls,” Clarke said. “They had to play  8 on 11 and they showed a lot of heart.”