Gsl Squads Take Close Tourney Wins

AAA soccer

A disadvantage became an advantage for the North Central soccer team Saturday afternoon.

Freshman Bobby Johnson flicked a header past Eisenhower keeper Dave Waarvick in the 73rd minute to lift the Indians to a 1-0 win in the first round of the State AAA tournament at NC.

The Indians play Greater Spokane League champion Ferris, which up-ended Moses Lake 2-1 in a shootout (5-4) in Moses Lake despite missing three starters.

The starters, red-carded out of Tuesday’s 1-0 shootout loss to NC in the District 8 title game, will be back when the Saxons play the Indians next Saturday at a site to be determined. Traditionally, neutral site games have been at Central Valley, but two track meets are scheduled for CV next weekend.

North Central 1, Eisenhower 0

NC’s winning play was set up when Nate Stanton had a free kick from about 40 yards. He dropped the ball just past the line of defense.

“Usually we’re going for Bobby Johnson’s head,” Stanton said. “He gets everything in the air.”

The Indians (8-8) controlled the first half with the advantage of a stiff breeze at their back but couldn’t capitalize. On long leads the ball drifted deep to the keeper.

The disadvantage of going against the wind in the second half turned out to be advantageous for the Indians. On the game-winner, the ball held up in the breeze and Johnson got to it before Waarvick, putting it just under the crossbar with a flick of his head.

“I saw it coming my way,” Johnson said. “It was getting late and I thought I needed to do something so I was more aggressive.”

NC coach Tim Cox overheard and said, “I told him he had the No. 1 head in the game.”

Defense, the coach said, was the difference, led by Stanton, a senior, and sophomore Bryce Harrison.

“At halftime we talked about the wind being a factor, but we wanted to stick with the game plan,” Cox said. “We didn’t make any changes, we just reiterated at halftime.

“(Eisenhower) dominated Moses Lake, outshooting them 16-4 both times. Moses Lake won with stingy defense. We wanted to counter or wait for a mistake, control the ball at midfield and play high pressure, getting more throw-ins and corner kicks.”

Cox credited sophomore defender Owen Turnbull and the tag-team combination of senior Justin Lake and freshman Aaron Fielder for shutting down Ike’s offensive threats.

Turnbull marked Danny Ferris, a 23-goal scorer during the regular season, and Lake, despite a bad knee, was on Eric Zahler. When Lake needed a break, Fielder stepped in.

It was the sixth straight win for NC. The Indians faced elimination in five games during the six-game streak.

“I was nervous the whole game,” said Johnson, who led NC with seven goals this season. “I didn’t think we played up to our potential. I knew if we got a chance, we could do it.”

“Toward the middle of the second half they had it on our side,” Stanton said. “We got kind of lucky the whole season. We have to keep playing hard and hope for the best.”

First half - none. Second half - 1, NC, B. Johnson (Stanton), 73:00.

Shots on goal - Ike 8, NC 9. Saves - Ike: Waarvick 8; NC: Jewell 8.

Ferris 2, Moses Lake 1 (SO))

A freshman made the difference for the short-handed Saxons (17-1).

The shootout was tied at 4 after each team had five kicks. Then sophomore keeper Jonathan Myers made a diving save for the Saxons. Freshman Ian Clausen stepped up and drilled the game-winner into the top right corner.

“It was a team effort,” Ferris coach Robin Crain said. “The kids did a great job. Everybody came together and guys made PK’s in overtime. It was really crucial, all the guys that were out were usually the PK takers. Guys that don’t usually take them stepped up and made them.”

Senior Brent Molsberry gave the Saxons a 1-0 lead early in the second half but the Chieftains tied it 6 minutes later.

First half - none. Second half - 1, Ferris, Molsberry, 47:00. 2, Moses Lake, Peterson, 53:00. Overtime - none. Shootout- Ferris 5-4. Ferris: Jones, Molsberry, Black, Reid, Clausen. ML: not available.

Shots on goal - Ferris 12, Moses Lake 10. Saves - Ferris: Myers 6. Moses Lake: Morrison 5, Anderson 1.

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