Imes, Wildcats are now forces to be reckoned with

Ashley Imes remembers. She remembers the four girls soccer losses to Mead – three of them shutouts – and the three one-goal losses to Lewis and Clark in four matches during her first three years with Mt. Spokane’s varsity.

She also remembers last year when the Wildcats lost five one-goal matches in the Greater Spokane League and dropped a 2-0 match to rival Mead in the district playoffs.

But the memory that Imes and her five fourth-year varsity teammates will remember most was last week’s historic 3-0 victory over Mead, the first Mt. Spokane win over its rival.

Admitting surprise, Imes added, “We were so pumped and ready for the game. All of us seniors said we were going to beat them this year.”

Coupled with an easy 7-1 victory over LC to open the season, the veteran Wildcats have scored 18 goals and allowed one in four consecutive victories this year.

“We are playing well as a team and I can’t stress enough about the senior girls,” said first-year coach John Marshall. “They do everything. They are mentally prepared, physically prepared and what they do is make everyone around them better.”

Imes, one of 14 veterans and 10 seniors, has been integral to Mt. Spokane’s success, particularly the last two seasons. She was a 2003 all-GSL midfielder for the Wildcats, scoring six goals and tying for the league lead with 11 assists. Entering the week she and fellow forward Chrissy Smalley led the team with seven and six points, respectively.

“Last year she played midfield,” said Marshall, “But she’s up front now. She is very creative.”

Having always been a center midfielder, Imes said she was initially unhappy Marshall asked her to change positions this year.

“At first I was kind of upset,” said Imes, one of six four-year varsity veterans. “I like it now.”

This is a big week for four GSL unbeatens, all 3-0. Ferris hosted Gonzaga Prep on Wednesday. Tomorrow, the Wildcats are at Ferris and the Bullpups are at University.

So far, Mt. Spokane has begun the season in ground-breaking fashion.

“Over the years we haven’t done as well as we should have,” said Imes. “I knew we were going to be strong this year. There’s so much leadership on the team.”