The Yakima Valley soccer team snapped a three-game slide on Saturday, defeating Blue Mountain 2-0 on the road to improve to 3-6-1 in the NWAC East.
A few days before taking down the Timberwolves, the Yaks (5-6-1 overall) suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of third-place Walla Walla. The Warriors went up 2-0 with a pair of goals in the first 14 minutes, but Rees connected with Bala for a goal in the 18th minute to narrow the deficit. Walla Walla found the net once more before halftime and punched in another midway through the second half. Stone recorded eight saves and the Yaks were outshot 11-3.
With just two games left, the playoffs are likely out of reach for the Yaks since only the top three teams advance and they have been swept by all three (Spokane, Columbia Basin and Walla Walla). But if everything goes according to plan, YVC could finish the season with three straight wins.
The Yaks have defeated both teams remaining on the schedule, Treasure Valley and Wenatchee, and they are hoping to finish on a high note.
"We've been playing pretty well lately," Rees said. "It's tough because only the top three teams from our league advance to the playoffs, but we've still had a lot of fun together this season." Rees added that she would like to finish her YVC career by competing in the NWAC All-Star Game on Nov. 16 — a spot she has likely earned with her 10 goals scored, good for second in the NWAC. She has also recorded a team-high nine assists.
The Yaks will host Treasure Valley on Saturday at 2 p.m., followed by the season finale at Wenatchee on Oct. 29.
