Elma scored seven goals for the second time in as many games against Hoquiam, defeating the Grizzlies 7-1 on Saturday at Davis Field in Elma.

In a makeup game after a previously scheduled meeting was postponed while the Hoquiam School District was on a self-imposed lockdown, Elma scored five goals in the first half en route to the victory, three coming from freshman forward Beta Valentine.

It was the third straight game in which Elma (8-3-1 overall, 4-1 1A Evergreen) has scored seven goals.

Valentine continues to emerge as one of the league’s best goal-scorers with arguably her best game of the season on Saturday. Valentine scored a hat trick for the third straight game and also assisted on three Elma goals.

Elma midfielder Janessa Sample opened the scoring when she put back a rebound on a Valentine shot just six minutes into the game.

In the 12th minute, Valentine converted on a pass in the box from midfielder Emmie Spencer and then scored on a through pass from freshman midfielder Miley Seaberg for a 3-0 lead 20 minutes into the game.

Valentine score her third goal in 11 minutes when she ran on to a perfectly-placed clearance from freshman defender Amaya Lewis and scored in the 23rd minute.

Elma completed the first-half scoring when a throw-in from midfielder Eliza Sibbett was flicked toward goal on a header by senior forward Chloe Clark. Eagles junior forward Grace Spencer finished the play, putting the ball in the back of the net for a 5-0 lead in the 35th minute.

In the second half, Elma scored when Valentine sent a through pass to Emmie Spencer for a goal in the 47th minute.

Hoquiam (1-9, 0-5) got on the scoreboard in the 51st minute when senior midfielder/defender Emma Johnson converted on a penalty kick after Elma was called for a hand ball in the penalty box.

In the 71st minute, Elma got a set-piece goal when Valentine sent a corner kick toward the Hoquiam net. Sibbett, who Elma head coach Evan Valentine stated played like a “monster in the midfield,” got her head on the ball and scored to give Elma the 7-1 victory.

“For (Sibbett) to get that header goal at the end was just icing on the cake,” Coach Valentine said. “She deserved it. She was phenomenal today.”

Coach Valentine said he was pleased with the way his team’s offense moved the ball on Saturday.

“I thought we were really precise with our passing, movement and our play in space. I was really happy about that,” Coach Valentine said. “Beta has had a hat trick now for three games in a row and I think it’s pretty cool for a freshman to get that.”

Hoquiam head coach John Johnson admitted the Grizzlies have struggled finding chemistry with its lineups but liked what he saw in the second half when Hoquiam started linking passes.

“I feel good about how our girls were moving the ball late in the game,” he said. “We will continue to work hard a build on our program.”

Elma currently sits in second place in the league standings, a game behind reigning district champion Montesano and two games up on district runner-up Tenino.

The Eagles have a big week ahead of them as they’ll host the Beavers on Tuesday with a chance to lock-up the second-seed in league followed by a possible first-place matchup at Montesano on Thursday.

Hoquiam 0 1 — 1

Elma 5 2 — 7

GIRLS PREP SWIMMING

Aberdeen beats two schools at dual meet

Aberdeen defeated Robert A. Long 138-30 and Mark Morris High School 130-48 at a dual meet on Friday in Hoquiam.

The Bobcats swept every single event in the two dominant victories.

Aberdeen recorded several district-qualifying times on Friday at the Grays Harbor YMCA.

Senior Lily Schreiber swam a district-qualifying time of 1:21.75 in the 100 yard backstroke.

Freshman Emma Mullins qualified for districts with a time of 7:00.36 in the 500 freestyle while senior Kate Ancich dropped nine second off her best 100 free time with a time of 1:05.57.

Aberdeen senior Kennedy Hatton recorded her season-best time of 6:49.92 in the 500 freestyle while junior Keara Burns swam personal-bests in the 50 free (29.13) and 100 free (1:04.45).

“All solid swims for our last home meet of the season,” Aberdeen head coach Tiffany Montoure said. “This team has so much support and love from our community. A huge thank you to everyone who came together to make every home meet possible and successful for the girls this year.”