Ferris turns away Lewis and Clark 1-0

The Ferris defense weathered the storm Wednesday afternoon at Albi Stadium.

That came mostly from Lewis and Clark, but also from the elements. The Saxons handled both in a 1-0 win over the Tigers in the Greater Spokane League boys’ soccer opener for both teams.

“Our back four was really solid today,” Ferris coach Robin Crain said of Logan Parr, Tucker VanTatenhove, Cedar Kelly and Sam Garcia, who blunted almost every Tigers threat.

Goalkeeper Beau Lockmer did the rest in a matchup of teams figured to finish high in the GSL this year, including a nice save in the 76th minute of a hard shot from LC’s Matt Martin.

Together they preserved the one-goal lead created 6 minutes into the match, when Ferris forward Matt Beaulaurier corralled a loose ball on the left side of the box, then shot under a diving Trevor Bigelow for the only goal of the match.

Terry Cox picked up the assist on the play.

In the 20th minute, Ferris’ Lockmer dove to save a ball at the line, one of six saves in the match.

The Tigers had three strong threats in a 5-minute span early in the second half, even as the Saxons contended with rain, high winds and finally hail along with LC attack.

Ferris was outshot 9-5, but the Saxons defenders “won all the 50-50 balls and when there was a really dangerous threat they cut it out,” Crain said.

The Saxons had a chance to go ahead on a free kick by Connor Ourada in the 63rd minute. The ball slipped past keeper Jacob Williams, but twisted just wide of the post.

Bigelow and Williams each had two saves for LC.

In the 76th minute, Matt Martin shot hard at goal, but was saved by Lockmer for a corner kick the Saxons handled easily.

In other action, Jack Gularte scored twice, including the clincher in the 57th minute, to give defending 3A District champion Mt. Spokane a 3-1 win over North Central at the Merkel Sports Complex. … Mead won a shootout with Shadle Park to take a 2-1 victory at Albi Stadium. Noah Bushey scored at the 75th minute to give Mead the lead before the Highlanders’ Matt Niemeier tied it at 79:00. … Mitch Davey’s goal at the 70th minute gave Gonzaga Prep a 2-1 victory over visiting University. … Central Valley blanked visiting Rogers 10-0. Robert Kissinger-Smith scored four goals.