After a difficult start to league play, the Yakima Valley soccer team nearly found the win column Saturday against Blue Mountain. But despite getting the better of play for most of the match, the Yaks had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Brynn Rees and Esperanza Haro each recorded a goal and an assist, and goalkeeper Meadow Stone hauled in three saves as YVC overcame a one-goal deficit at halftime. Haro got the scoring started in the seventh minute on a pass from Rees. The Timberwolves found the net in the 34^th and 37^th minutes to grab a 2-1 lead at the break, but Haro returned the favor to Rees in the 84^th minute to even the score.

YVC claimed a 10-4 shot advantage on the afternoon, with Rees putting three shots on goal and India Weimers and Haro each recording two. Alexia Lee, Deryn Bala and Jorja Barbee also delivered scoring chances for the Yaks, who improved to 0-3-1 in the NWAC East (2-3-1 overall).

Last Wednesday's home matchup with Walla Walla didn't produce many highlights as YVC fell 3-1 to last season's third-place team. Rees tallied another goal — her team-best sixth on the season — to help the Yaks tie the score at halftime, but a pair of second-half strikes by the Warriors put the game out of reach. Stone hauled in six saves on the day, but no additional stats were available on the NWAC website.

The Yaks will try to secure their first league win Saturday at Treasure Valley before taking on last-place Wenatchee at home on Oct. 1.