The Yakima Valley soccer team is doing its best to keep pace in the NWAC East, but a slew of recent injuries has contributed to an even steeper climb. 
 

Late last month at Columbia Basin, the Yaks lost starting goalkeeper Caitlin Tobin and leading scorer Esperanza Haro to season-ending injuries. They lost two more starters since then, and their playoff hopes appear dim heading into the season's final four matches.
 

The short-handed Yaks dropped their fourth game in a row to Blue Mountain on Wednesday at home, giving up a goal in the seventh minute and one more in the 81st. Goalkeeper Ariana Araiza collected eight saves and the YVC defense, led by Derynn Bala, helped keep the Yaks within striking distance. 
 

Zyanna Hernandez and Nataly Pacheco created numerous chances for the offense, but the team was unable to equal last month's performance against the Timberwolves, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
 

The Yaks also struggled to put together a consistent counterattack last Saturday at home, conceding a 3-0 loss to Walla Walla. The Warriors took a 1-0 lead into halftime and added two more tallies in the second half. Araiza delivered eight saves, while Addison Johnston contributed three of the team's four shots on goal. Despite the loss, the result was an improvement over YVC's 6-0 loss to the Warriors in the conference opener.
 

The Yaks (2-5-1 NWAC East, 2-7-1 overall) will travel to last-place Wenatchee on Saturday before visiting Treasure Valley on Oct. 21. The home finale is scheduled for Oct. 24 against CBC.