History Favors Shadow

The Spokane Shadow wouldn’t mind seeing summer reruns this weekend.

The Premier League Northwest Division Shadow travel to the Okanagan Challenge of Kelowna, British Columbia, on Friday and play host to the Cascade Surge of Salem, Ore., on Saturday.

In their first game against Okanagan, a Premier League newcomer, the Shadow won 7-0 on May 29. When Spokane played Cascade in a U.S. Open Cup qualifying game to open the season April 25, the Shadow escaped a 2-1 shootout victor.

The Shadow carry a 4-1 division record (6-4 overall) into the weekend and are tied for first with Yakima (4-0) with 12 points. Cascade follows at 4-3 (6-5). The Challenge have played just two games, losing both.

“We’ll see a little different team,” Shadow coach Sean Bushey said. “Nobody likes to lose 7-0, so I’m sure they’ll be after us.”

The Shadow will be close to full strength this weekend. Brian Ching, Andy Bruno and Craig Waibel are back from competing in a U-23 tournament in Salt Lake City. Ching, the Shadow’s leading scorer with 18 points, had six goals and four assists in five games at the tournament. The state of Washington team lost to Oregon in the final.

Shadow scoring has been plentiful with Ching leading the way and Simeon Enemuo (14 points), Kieran Barton (12) and Jeff McAllister (11) close behind.

The defense, however, allowed five goals in two games. Bushey is confident the backfield will improve with Bruno and Waibel back on defense.

Change of date

The date of the Inland Empire East vs. West All-Star game has been changed from Saturday to July 11.

The games will be played before the Shadow vs. Yakima game. The boys game will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the girls.

Coming up Today: Shadow at Okanagan Challenge, 8 p.m. Saturday: Cascade Surge at Shadow, Albi Stadium, 7:05 p.m. Radio: KKPL (630 AM)