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CV soccer battles on
11/24/2014 4:11:20 PM

By Mike Vlahovich
Splash Contributor

Andres Monrroy was down in the mouth. The coach of Central Valley's defending state soccer champions had just watched his veteran team knocked off by Mead for the Greater Spokane League district title.

They'd need four successive victories, loser out contests all, if they were to return to the state playoffs and reach the State 4A semifinals again.

"Our season's not over yet, but it's going to be a challenge," Monrroy had said following the lackluster effort in their loss. "This will show the character of our team."

Not surprisingly, the Bears - who returned their championship lineup nearly intact - rose to the challenge. Stunning, however, was how they returned to the scene of their finest hour (before this was published their fate is already determined).

CV cut a swath through the opposition, dominating by a combined score of 14-1, an unusually high number of goals considering it came in the post season.

National age group team member and sophomore Kelsey Turnbow accounted for eight of the scores, and the defense did the rest during shutout victories over University, 3-0; Mead, 4-0, in the rematch for a state berth; and West Valley Yakima, 1-0, to reach the Final Four. The team's first state tournament victory came over Snohomish, 6-1.

"It all started with the way we played in the district championship," Monrroy said.

He called a meeting with the seniors and told them he had been disappointed with the effort. He then challenged them, saying they were one of the best teams in state, were the defending champions and they needed to play that way.

"The results speak for themselves," Monrroy said. "The defense has been a complete effort from Chloe Sholtz in goal to our defenders allowing one goal and the offense scoring 14. It all started with the seniors. From that point in time, I was very proud with the way they responded."

The Bears played determined, but loose. They were smiling and talking on bus trips.

"They never played tight," Monrroy said. "They work hard, compete, but they also have fun."

Eight starters returned from last year: Turnbow and Alaina Bates at forward; midfielders Megan Dimmler, Katie Van Etten, Kasey Ames and Cassie Fielding, who also doubled on defense; defenders McKenna Stocker and Erica Casey. A ninth, Taryn Miller, is injured. Senior Scholtz took over in goal.

Publications on the west side of Washington ranked them between first and fourth all season long.

The Bears entered the state semifinals with an 18-2 record. Twelve of their wins were by shutout, and they allowed one goal in five others. The other loss was 2-1 to Mt. Spokane in the GSL opener.

Turnbow had scored 26 goals. Ames added six. Dimmler, Fielding and freshman Kaelyn Barnes all had four.

"As a coach, I thought we could get back to the final four," Monrroy said. "I was also nervous how well they'd respond."

Sometimes, he added, a state championship team might rest on its laurels. With only four seniors graduated, the odds of a return trip were good.

"I feel they (are) better players since last year," he said. "We're one of the best teams in the state of Washington. And we play like it."

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