It’s an opener of successful firsts for Shadow in 2-0 victory

It was a good first game for the Spokane Shadow.

In the first match of the new season, the Shadow handed Premier Development League rival Yakima a 2-0 soccer loss Saturday at Albi Stadium in front of 1,431 fans.

Gonzaga University forward Grant Lundberg, playing in his first game with the Shadow, took a heel pass from University of Washington standout Brett Hite, dribbled inside the goal box, settled for a beat to let the defense overrun the play, then drilled a crossing shot into the far corner for the game-winner.

“Brett and I have played together before,” Lundberg said. “That helped. Part of the problem with playing a game like this is that you’ve got guys coming in who are playing somewhere else and you don’t get a lot of time to practice together. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to get a feel for one another.

“As soon as I fed Brett the ball, he knew I was breaking for the goal and he fed me a nice heel kick that rolled through. I got a good look at the goal and kicked it through.”

Mt. Spokane goalkeeper Jeff Srock shook off his first-game jitters and notched a shutout as a PDL starter.

And Kieran Barton earned a victory in his first game as a head coach – leading a team he played for in 1996, 1998 and 2004.

“I thought the outcome was justified,” Barton said. “I thought we were two goals better than they were coming in. Say what you want about Yakima – that we have their number or whatever – but they make us earn it every time.

“It was nerve-wracking to be on the sidelines. I’m used to playing, getting out there and running to get rid of all that nervous energy. I was able to send in the guys I wanted to run things, but that doesn’t do a whole lot to dispel those nerves. Fortunately I have a group of guys who listen to what I have to say. Well, at least they make me think they’re listening to what I have to say – I don’t really know yet.”

Srock turned in a solid game in goal, making the plays he was expected to make and not making mistakes.

“I was so nervous,” the high school senior said. “Playing in front of this many great fans was a little scary, but these are great fans and they really helped me feel at home. And once the game started, I was fine.”

It helps that Srock is not the only high school soccer player on the squad. Shadle Park’s Kyle Wirtz and Ferris’ Avery Washington started on defense and at midfield, respectively. North Central’s Ryan Matern, Ferris’ Joe Hatcher and East Valley’s Ben Funkhouser also are on the Shadow roster and are expected to see considerable playing time.

It didn’t help anyone’s first-game jitters that the game was scoreless until the 75th minute, nor that the Shadow did not score its insurance goal until the final two minutes when Hite drew a foul at the top of the penalty area and quick-chipped his free kick under the crossbar.

“That was one of those funny things,” Barton said. “Brett and I talked about that this morning – what to do if there was a foul in that area. Brett came running to the sidelines laughing about it. That’s part of what makes me think these guys are listening.”