University’s Fast Learner Heads Off Ferris

Kara Jordan headed Leah Brereton’s corner kick over the top of the goal.

“Hey, Kara,” University coach Brandon Deyarmin said from the sidelines, “you have to jump up for those and head them down.”

Jordan took the advice and moments later headed another Brereton corner kick past Jessica Froelich for a goal at 29 minutes.

The score held up and U-Hi (6-2, 3-0) claimed a 1-0 Greater Spokane League girls soccer win at blustery, damp Ferris on Friday.

The Titans also defeated Ferris 3-2 in a non-league match on Sept. 10. Ferris played that one without all-leaguer Mariah McConnaughey and Friday’s match without senior defender Karie Pruett, who broke her wrist Wednesday against Lewis and Clark.

Ferris coach Robin Crain said playing three quality GSL opponents in five days affected the Saxons (6-4, 2-1). Poor fortune was another factor, because the Saxons outshot U-Hi by a 3-to-1 ratio and had three attempts hit the crossbar.

Deyarmin asked Megan Owen, Juliana Koehler and Kaelene Parker to hound McConnaughey and high-scoring Megan Cummings. U-Hi chose to sacrifice some offensive pressure to concentrate on defense.

Halftime speeches displayed the varied tactics. Crain instructed the Saxons to stop shooting from so far out while Deyarmin insisted on taking what shots became available.

Ferris had the best chances, but a freshman named Jordan had the best second chance.

“That was kind of strange,” Deyarmin said of the copycat play. “(Jordan’s) not the tallest girl, but it was a great cross by Leah.”

Jordan laughed about the coincidence, and found more humor in the yellow card she received in the second half. Jordan’s crime? Wearing a “lucky” rubber band on her wrist.

U-Hi snapped Ferris’ four-match winning streak.

In other GSL matches, Central Valley (6-2, 3-0) kept pace with U-Hi, as Corinne Gannon and Courtney Phinney scored from 6 yards out after crossing passes during a 2-0 win over visiting North Central (1-7, 0-3).

Mead (8-0, 3-0), seeking its 12th consecutive title, is also tied for first after its 7-0 win at Rogers (2-8, 0-3). Lindsay Drollinger and Jaci Pelton totaled two goals and one assist apiece.

At Hart Field, Janine McNally scored at 49 minutes and freshman Therese Crisp registered her second league shutout as Lewis and Clark (4-4, 2-1) notched a 1-0 win over visiting Gonzaga Prep (6-4, 0-3).

Laurel Jones scored from 18 yards on a breakaway and Seneca Shank added a goal from 25 yards as Mt. Spokane (2-5, 2-1) notched a 3-0 win over visiting Shadle Park (3-6, 0-3).

Volleyball

Staci Schuerman, Mindy Wallis, Abby Hornstein and Lindsay Murphy all had five or more kills as Mead (11-0) defeated visiting Lewis and Clark 15-10, 15-13, 15-7 to increase its first-place lead to one game over idle Ferris.

The Panthers led the opener 14-6 and fought off the Tigers’ mini-rally. Mead blazed ahead 13-2 in the final game. LC (7-4) dropped into a three-way tie for third with Rogers and Shadle.

Crissa Poole served six consecutive points for an 11-4 second-game lead and host University (3-8) went on to a 15-8, 15-9, 15-2 win over North Central (1-10).

Courtney Red’s block and kill pushed the Titans toward a 9-4 lead in the opener. Brooke Earling served points 5-11 in the wrapup game.

GSL matches pick up again Tuesday, highlighted by Shadle at Ferris and LC at Rogers. Six teams advance to the Oct. 30-Nov. 1 district tourney at Mt. Spokane.

, DataTimes