The Yakima Valley soccer team started league play on a positive note last Saturday with a 4-0 home win over Treasure Valley. But the Yaks got a harsh dose of reality on Wednesday, falling to Spokane 5-0 on the road.

Against Treasure Valley, Brynn Rees scored a goal in each half and delivered an assist to help YVC prevail in its NWAC East opener. Rees opened the scoring in the 12^th minute on an assist from Jada Mendoza and then found Delaney Sullivan three minutes later for a 2-0 halftime advantage.

Rees added to the Yaks' lead in the 59^th minute on a pass from Arlene Mendez, and Grace Russell put a pin in the victory in the 87^th minute on an assist from Abril Rodriguez-Hernandez. YVC's offense overwhelmed the Chukars with 19 shots on goal, including four by Rees and three by Alexia Lucero. Mendoza also had three shots, while Sullivan and Ebony Landa each added two. Goalkeeper Alexis Torres snagged a pair of saves to earn the clean sheet.

Wednesday's road trip was a different story as Spokane found the net three times in the first 20 minutes before adding a fourth right before halftime. The Sasquatch tacked on one more in the 74^th minute, finishing the game with a 25-7 shot advantage. Torres collected nine saves for YVC, while Naya Alexander led the offense with three shots, two of them on frame.

The loss evened the Yaks' record at 2-2 overall (1-1 league). They will look to bounce back Saturday at Wenatchee, followed by a home matchup with Blue Mountain on Sept. 20.