WINTHROP – Liberty Bell avenged an early-season defeat to Oroville on Saturday, April 21, edging the Hornets 4-3 in a Central Washington League game played 7-on-7 due to Oroville’s lack of available players.
“We only had seven players available, but Liberty Bell matched our numbers the other game,” said Oroville coach Mike Pitts. “Playing seven on a full field was tough on our players. It was a lot of space to cover and we relied heavily on the defense to come up and help out.”
Pitts said he thought the team may have overlooked the Mountain Lions.
“We came out flat, lacking urgency, and I think our team just expected the game to go how most games in the past have gone against Liberty Bell. They made sure it didn’t happen. No excuses, Liberty Bell wanted the game more than we did and it showed.”
Angel Camacho started at goalkeeper, but after being switched out for EZ Layata scored all three Oroville goals. Layata had 15 saves and Raul Rodriguez had an assist.
The Hornets (1-10, 1-5 CWL) host Manson on Saturday, April 28, and Bridgeport on May 1.
Omak 3, Oroville 2
OROVILLE – Oroville shocked the Pioneers by taking a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to two Raul Rodriguez goals, but couldn’t hold on as the deeper Omak team scored the game-winner with 30 seconds remaining of the non-league contest.
“Angel Camacho was stellar in goal with some outstanding saves,” Pitts said. “I made a goal change at half to allow Angel some field time and Omak came out with two quick goals to tie it up. I put Angel back in goal, and great defensive and goalkeeper play kept us in the game during the second half.”
Omak turned up the offensive pressure in the final 10 minutes, taking advantage of the Hornets’ fatigue.
“For our team to play an opponent that beat us 7-1 the previous week and almost come away with a tie was a testament of their will and endurance,” Pitts said.
Abe Capote had an assist and Camacho had 20 saves.
Brewster 15, Oroville 1
OROVILLE – League-leading Brewster hammered the Hornets on Tuesday, April 17, 15-1, in a game that Pitts said his team gave the Bears too much respect.
“We came out timid and treated Brewster like they were the L.A. Galaxy,” he said. “Brewster took full advantage of our mental and physical weakness and dominated the game in all aspects.”
Raul Rodriguez scored in the second half off an assist by Abe Capote, only the seventh goal allowed by the Bears all season.
Lucas Mieirs had 19 saves for the Hornets.
