ELLENSBURG, WA — Under ideal blue skies and a perfect-weather afternoon, high excitement filled the air as the Ellensburg High School girls soccer team stepped out onto the pitch for their official season opener on Tuesday, September 8. Facing off against West Valley in front of an energized home crowd, the Lady Bulldogs showcased grit and late-game fireworks before ultimately dropping a tight 2–1 contest.
Battle on the Pitch
The visitors established an early lead in the opening half when West Valley’s #10 found the back of the net at the 15:22 mark. Despite trailing 1–0 heading into the intermission, Ellensburg’s defensive backline and goalkeeper Katie Burtonkept the match well within reach, with Burton turning away 4 key saves on the day to stall West Valley’s attack.
A Wild Two-Minute Stretch
The action reached a fever pitch midway through the second half. In the 63rd minute, the home side broke through as Haley Bostwick (#8) delivered a clinical finish to knot the match at 1–1, sending the Ellensburg bench and supporters into a frenzy.
However, West Valley answered almost immediately. Just 60 seconds later in the 64th minute, West Valley’s #8 responded with a go-ahead strike to reclaim a 2–1 advantage. Ellensburg pressed forward aggressively in the final 15 minutes seeking another equalizer, but West Valley held firm to secure the victory.
Match Summary: Ellensburg 1, West Valley 2
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Valley | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Ellensburg | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Scoring Timeline:
- 15:22 (WV): Goal by #10
- 63:00 (EHS): Haley Bostwick (#8)
- 64:00 (WV): Goal by #8
Goalkeeping:
- Ellensburg: Katie Burton — 4 Saves
Looking Ahead
While the result didn’t go the Lady Bulldogs’ way, the high level of play and competitive spark against a tough non-conference opponent offer plenty of promise. With Bostwick finding her scoring touch early and Burton providing steady leadership in goal, Ellensburg builds a strong foundation as the autumn campaign gets underway.