Prep soccer -- Amped-up Pirates moving on

YAKIMA -- Get psyched and get intense. But manage that zeal, contain it. 

That wasn't Armando Garcia's advice to his revved-up Davis boys soccer team on Thursday, it was his command. That's because he knew how much was on the line in a loser-out district opener.

And the fact they were sharing the field with Eisenhower, which had defeated the Pirates on their home field a month ago.

"We couldn't come out too high because then you risk hitting a big low," said Davis senior Tommy McLaughlin. "But we really wanted this. I mean, really wanted it."

By measuring that high emotion and channeling it into a stout defensive effort, Davis got its revenge, besting the visiting Cadets 2-0 to earn a trip to Wenatchee on Saturday for a Columbia Basin 4A district semifinal. The match at Apple Bowl will start at 6 p.m.

"I told the kids you have to understand your strength and focus on that," Garcia said. "When you throw the emotion of playing Ike into it, it gets harder to keep that focus. I was a little nervous about that because we lost to them here, but we did a great job staying with our game."

The Pirates got their first tally late in the first half when junior Antonio Ruis scored on an assist from sophomore Salvador Navarro.

Physical and rather
contentious play dominated the second half before Davis put it away on Rudy Sanchez's penalty kick in the 72nd minute.

Eisenhower (6-10-1) had few chances in the second half as the Davis goaltending tandem of Andrez Ramos and Joel Campos earned their seventh shutout of the season.

"I thought in the second half we took control and really played our game -- strong positions, move the ball, keep it low," said McLaughlin, a defender who has earned all-league honors throughout his entire career at Davis. "This should really help us pick it up for the rest of district."

Davis (10-6) split its two league meetings with second-seeded Wenatchee, losing 3-0 on the road and then avenging that loss at home 2-1 last week.

Richland, a 1-0 winner over Moses Lake, will play at league-champion Pasco in Saturday's other semifinal.

"Wenatchee's fast and well-organized -- a lot like us," Garcia said. "That will be a good match-up."

First half: 1, Davis, Antonio Ruis (Salvador Navarro), 35:00.

Second half: 2, Davis, Rudy Sanchez (PK), 72:00.

Saves: Andrez Ramos (D) 3, Joel Campos (D) 3, Jovanni Ramos (E) 8.

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