Ferris Fights Off Eisenhower For First-Round Win

Prep soccer

Ferris fought through the frustration of numerous missed opportunities and the bump-and-shove defensive tactics of Eisenhower Saturday afternoon to edge the Cadets 2-1 in the opening round of the State 4A boys soccer tournament at University High School.

The Saxons (15-5) used second-half goals by Aaron Crary and Abbas Faridnia to offset a dominant, but unproductive, first half and oust an Eisenhower team (13-5) that was a little too physical for Robin Crain’s liking.

“We were frustrated early, sure,” the Ferris coach said, after watching his team advance to next Saturday’s 1 p.m. quarterfinal matchup against Pasco at University. “But less with the missed opportunities than with the hard hits we took. This was definitely a physical game - probably the most physical we played this year.”

Still, the Saxons consistently shook off nearly every bit of heavy contact and went back to the finesse game that had served them so well throughout the Greater Spokane League season.

After a scoreless half in which they pressured Ike goalkeeper Dave Waarvick relentlessly, but unsuccessfully, the Saxons scored the first goal 10 minutes into the second half. The Cadets had trouble clearing a corner kick, and Crary banged in a rebound.

Ferris added what proved to be the winning goal about 19 minutes later on Faridnia’s penalty kick, which was set up when Waarvick, badly beaten, pulled down Garth Cummings. Cummings, who dazzled Cadets defenders with his speed, dribbling and passing, was sizing up a sure goal after faking Waarvick off his feet.

Faridnia then beat Waarvick with a blast into the upper left side of the goal, rendering Eisenhower’s only goal - which came just moments later off the foot of Tomas Valencia - meaningless.

Valencia’s rocket shot seemed to catch Ferris’ defenders napping and simultaneously upset and impressed Crain.

“We were up two goals and it looked like we said, ‘Hey, we’ve got this thing won,’ and let up a little,” Crain said. “They hit (a long pass) into the center and Valencia played a great ball - just brought it down and volleyed it. It was a cannon, a great shot.”

But it was also the last good scoring chance the Cadets could muster against Ferris goalkeeper Tommy Servine, who had kept his shutout bid alive with several acrobatic saves.

“He’s a stud,” Eisenhower coach Jeff Perry said of the rangy Servine. “We’re a very physical team and we played to our strength - get the ball forward, win the knockdowns and take some chances at the end.

“We got some terrific looks with it, but they’re a very good team, no question about it. On any given day, they can beat anybody”

Mike Pardini scored at 73 minutes and Big Nine No. 1 Pasco (16-3) eliminated GSL No. 2 Shadle (12-5) 1-0 at Pasco.

Jon Ferris and Nick Azure set up Pardini’s sliding goal between Brandon Kyle’s legs.

State 3A playoffs

Sam Cain scored twice as visiting Moses Lake (14-6) defeated Cheney 3-0 to eliminate the Blackhawks (13-4-1) in the first round.

Scott Bertram also scored for the Chiefs. Dave Anderson registered the shutout, stopping four shots.

Moses Lake advances to the quarterfinals against West Valley (Yakima), a 5-0 winner over Olympia.

District 7-2A playoffs

GNL regular-season champion Pullman (14-1-1) won a shootout 4-3 to edge visiting Riverside 2-1 in the title match.

The Rams led 1-0 after Jason Remington’s penalty kick at 53 minutes. Pullman’s George Souza scored 13 minutes later to force overtime. The Greyhounds’ Owen Kendall scored high to the left side during the shootout.

Pullman will host a quarterfinal match of the State 2A playoffs, Saturday against the No. 2 team from Central Washington.