Weiser girls end season with win over Payette

by Sarah Imada
 Regular season play came to an end for the Lady Wolverines with a 4-2 win over Payette on Thursday.
 Weiser’s season record was 6-7 overall and 2-6 in the Snake River Valley Conference. They were the third seed going into districts.  
 They made the trip north to McCall on Tuesday, Oct. 12 to take on the Vandals, who ended their season 8-3 in league play. It was the fourth time the two teams have met this season.
 This year’s district tourney is a single elimination format.
 Scores were unavailable at press time.
 In honor of “Pink Week” the girls paid tribute to coach Trine Loenberg who was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 by wearing pink jerseys. The team played hard on the field and, also off the field they came together and helped Angel Wings Network, a local cancer support group with their annual 5K Walk/Run.
Weiser 4, Payette 2
 The Pirates started the game with the first goal with 15 minutes off the clock. Payette senior Chloe McCallum drove the ball down the field to the goal box. She kicked the ball to the right side of the goal. Weiser’s senior goalie Kristy Bake dove for the save, but it was just past her fingertips.
 With just under three minutes left in the half Payette was called on a foul. Macy Rodriguez took the penalty shot. It looked like Payette’s goalie had the ball stopped but she bobbled the ball and was not able to hold on and it was loose. This allowed Weiser’s Macy Maloney, Alia Oarbeascoa, Daniela Ixta and Emily Christopherson to tap the ball into the back of the net to tie the game.
 Weiser’s offense was on fire, and they were able to take the lead with 50 seconds left on the clock. Christopherson went for the goal. Payette’s goalie dove to stop the ball but the ball slipped out of her hands and Daniela Ixta was there to follow through to score the goal, giving Weiser the 2-1 lead going into halftime.
 Nine minutes into the second half, Weiser would score their third goal. Defensive player Brittany Magana placed a perfect pass to Christopherson who passed to Macy Maloney who kicked the ball into the back of the net.
 Payette scored on a corner kick with nine minutes left in the game.
 Weiser’s offense took numerous shots on goal with good ball handling and passing. With seven seconds left in the game Elle Svedin dribbled the ball down the field looking for someone to pass to. She found an opening in Payette’s defense and took the shot and scored, ending the game at 4-2.
 Elle Svedin took 8 shots on goal and keeper Bake had 13 saves for the day.
 The conference championship went to Fruitland who went into the district tourney seeded first. McCall took second and Payette was the fourth seed.