Well-Rounded University Shuts Down East Valley
Prep soccer
For most of 80 minutes Wednesday night, the University High girls soc- cer team made the sport look like a game of connect the dots.
The Titans passed so well in their 1-0 Greater Spokane League victory over East Valley that the Knights found it hard to get touches on the ball and managed only two shots.
“We switch the field and redirect and use our defense,” said Titans senior Tasha Warwick. “We’re a real passing team. We communicate well doing that.”
Now they have to improve their finishing. U-Hi had 17 shots, but Jessica Henson’s goal from close-range at 8 minutes off a Toni Hart cross stood as the game-winner.
U-Hi and EV both entered the match unbeaten in league. The Titans (8-0 overall, 2-0 GSL) are tied for first place with Central Valley and Mead.
The Knights, who dropped to 3-5 and 2-1, had a hard time handling the Titans’ offensive pressure and were forced to boot the ball out of bounds on defense many times.
Rarely did EV make it into its offensive half of the field. The Knights had a scoring chance on a corner kick at 69 minutes but couldn’t convert.
“They are the top in the GSL and they showed that,” first-year EV coach Jenni Martin said of U-Hi. “But we played with intensity, especially at the end of the second half.”
East Valley counts on junior goalie Tiera Como, one of the best keepers in the league, who made 13 saves. And the other players have gained confidence with league wins over Lewis and Clark and Shadle Park, Martin said.
It appeared the Titans had their second goal at 67 minutes when Kara Jordan headed the ball into the net off a free kick, but the score was nullified on an offside call.
Still, U-Hi kept pushing on offense.
“We were totally pumped up and ready to play. We just couldn’t finish,” Hart said. “Everyone played with a lot of heart, and that’s what made us win the game.”
Also in the GSL, Raeanna Jewell headed in a Jessie Torres corner kick in the second overtime to lift Central Valley (5-1, 2-0) to a 1-0 win over Lewis and Clark (4-5, 1-2) at Hart Field. CV goalkeeper Jody Scott made a diving save on an LC breakaway in the final minute of the first half… . Jessica Scott’s goal before the 5-minute mark spelled the difference as Gonzaga Prep (4-5, 2-1) defeated Mt. Spokane 1-0 at Albi Stadium. Jill Adams’ corner kick slipped past two players to Scott, who finished the play with a volley. The Wildcats are 3-5, 0-3… . Adriane Kehl scored a pair of first-half goals 7 minutes apart to help Mead (7-1, 2-0) to a 6-0 win at Shadle Park (2-6, 0-3).