Shadow Ready To Fight Worst-Case Scenario Has Spokane Concerned As Playoffs Open At Albi

At first glance, it would appear the Spokane Shadow would have an easy weekend on the road to the USISL Premier League soccer championship.

However, an inside look at the records of the four teams converging on Albi Stadium tonight for the Northwest Division tournament shows records can be deceiving.

The Shadow won the Northwest with a 14-2 record, the best mark among the 30 Premier League teams, winning the title by a whopping 21-point margin. Spokane was 4-0 against Bellingham (6-10), tonight’s opponent at 6, and 3-1 against Yakima (7-9) and Cascade (8-8), the teams in the other semifinal at 8.

Though perfect against the Orcas, the last two games were 1-0 and the final one was decided in overtime. All the games against Cascade were one-goal decisions, including a 2-1 defeat. Two of the Yakima games, including a 2-1 loss, were settled by one goal.

“We have to play one game at a time,” Shadow coach Sean Bushey said. “It has to be that way because we don’t have another game if we don’t win that one.”

That is why the Shadow are focusing on Bellingham. Tonight’s winners play at 6 p.m. Sunday, with the champion advancing to a one-game playoff next Saturday against the Southwest playoff winner. At stake in that game will be a trip to the national tournament in San Luis Obispo, Calif., in two weeks.

“The guys have done well maintaining concentration because we have had league wrapped up for a long time,” Bushey said. “It’s time to refocus. They’ve played us tough in each of the four games.”

Bellingham is led by Kurt and Scott Swanson with five goals apiece and goalkeeper Travers Enslow, who has a 2.29 goals against average.

Spokane forward Dave Berto was among the league leaders with nine goals and six assists for 24 points and Zane Higgins, an all-star last year, has regained his scoring touch of late, finishing with nine goals and four assists for 22 points.

Bushey isn’t sure what to expect from the Orcas.

“Last time we played here they played a low-pressure defense, they threw that at us, a little different wrinkle,” he said. “The last time there, they came out a little harder. We have to be prepared for both types of games.”

The Shadow, led by defenders Stuart Saunders and Stuart Rose, allowed only 16 goals in 16 league games, the best in the country, and keeper Josh Fouts was the nation’s No. 4 goalie with a 1.28 goals against average.

Playoff fever

Six division tournaments are going on this weekend with five of the six teams that made it to last year’s finals in Cocoa Beach, Fla., still playing. The Central Coast Roadrunners, the defending national champions who won a 4-0 non-league game in Spokane this year, are automatic entrants in the finals as the host team. Last year’s runner-up, the San Francisco Bay Seals, have moved up to the Pro League. The Seals defeated the visiting Shadow 3-1 last weekend in a non-league game. The Seals made last year’s finals by defeating the Shadow 3-2 in Spokane in the qualifying tournament.

The Southwest Division has a one-game playoff between the San Gabriel Valley Highlanders and Tucson Amigos tonight. The Southwest Division has only four teams and one of them is Central Coast. Spokane defeated Tucson 2-1 in overtime earlier this season in Spokane. If the Shadow win the Northwest Tournament, they’ll host the one-game playoff against the Southwest because of a better record. San Gabriel would host any other survivor.

Tickets for the games at Albi are on sale through Select-A-Seat or at the gate. A three-game, two-day pass is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students with ID. Single-day tickets are $8 and $6.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: USISL MATCHUPS

Bellingham Orcas Spokane Shadow

Season records Bellingham Spokane 6-10, 6-12 14-2, 15-5

Goals for 26 37

Goals against 40 16

Head-to-head scores At Bellingham At Spokane 1-3, 0-1 (OT) 3-1, 1-0

Top goalkeepers Travers Enslow 2.29 GAA Josh Fouts 1.28 GAA

Top scorers Kurt Swanson 5 goals Dave Berto 9 goals Scott Swanson 5 goals Zane Higgins 9 goals Greg Brisbon 4 goals Chad Brown 4 goals

Notable Bellingham: The Orcas had the first shutout in team history when they defeated Puget Sound 2-0 on June 6. The Orcas lost their next seven games, five by shutout. Spokane: The Shadow were shut out only once this year, 4-0 by defending national champion Central Coast, and won four times by shutout. This is the second year Spokane has had the best Premier League record in the country. The Shadow averaged 1,280 fans in compiling a 10-2 home record (including exhibitions), including 8-0 in league play.

Cascade Surge Yakima Reds

Season records 8-8, 9-11 7-9, 9-13

Goals for 28 31

Goals against 23 31

Head-to-head scores In Salem, Ore. In Yakima 3-0, 1-0 2-0, 0-1 (shootout)

Top goalkeepers Eric Freitag 1.71 GAA Derek Collins 1.78 GAA

Leading scorers Johnny Jackman 6 goals Byron Alverez 6 goalsB en Hook 6 goals