Ching Hat Trick Nets A Feather For His Cap

Credit Brian Ching for jumpstarting the Spokane Shadow.

The second-year player scored three goals last week against Yakima, equalling the team’s total output in its previous three U.S. Open Cup qualifying-round matches. Ching’s hat trick - the first in the Shadow’s three-year history - earned him USISL Premier League player of the week honors.

Ching, a native of Hawaii, who plays soccer at Gonzaga University, scored all the goals in the Shadow’s 3-2 victory. And he played with pain. The forward, who will celebrate his 20th birthday Sunday, sprained his right ankle in the second game of the season and sat out the third game.

“Hopefully, we can build on that game for the rest of the season,” Shadow coach Sean Bushey said.

The Shadow’s U.S. Open Cup matches resulted in a 2-2 record, one that wasn’t good enough to advance them into the second round of the 100-plus team national tournament. Cascade, Yakima, Spokane and Puget Sound all finished 2-2, but the Cascade Surge advanced by edging the Shadow 10-9 in overall points. The Salem, Ore., team will play San Gabriel Valley in the regional round.

However, all four Northwest Division teams are even as the regular season opens this weekend. The 1996 and 1997 divisional champion Shadow open against the Abbotsford Action. The Vancouver, British Columbia, team is one of four new provisional members.

The scorers in Spokane’s first three games were Jeff McAllister, Simeon Enemuo and Chris LaRochelle.

Enemuo, who scored in the second week of the season against Yakima, has not played since. He injured his right shin in that game. And Bushey said he’s questionable for Saturday.

Forward Jeff Rose, nursing a groin strain, also is listed as questionable. Chad Beadell, a reserve goalie from Coeur d’Alene, is out with a bad ankle. The Lake City graduate has not practiced for two weeks.

However, Chad Brown, a veteran player from Fresno State, will be available. The Central Valley grad wrapped up his final exams this week and will suit up against Abbotsford.

In two seasons, Brown has contributed seven goals and 14 assists, tying him for third in points with 28.