Saxons dominate Cheney inside
There is no magical formula, said Ferris coach Robin Crain, when it comes to devising a way to score from inside the 18-yard box.
“You just have to get to the ball first before the other team does,” he said.
Crain’s Saxons did so twice, scoring second-half goals off throw-ins by his son, Trevor Crain, during Friday afternoon’s easier-than-expected 3-0 victory over Cheney.
The home win broke a tie between the two teams and moved Ferris (5-1) into second place past Central Valley, which lost for the first time in a shootout to Mead.
The Saxons are just two points off the lead held by unbeaten East Valley in the wide-open GSL.
The first goal was scored by junior Ian Anderson, who would finish with a pair. It came 6 minutes into the second half directly off Crain’s toss that bounced off the hands of Cheney keeper Josh Hooley and left him vulnerable.
“I was supposed to be making a run off the throw and it went over me,” said Anderson. “I just turned around and when it went off his hands I popped it in with my left foot.”
Ten minutes later, Crain threw the ball to Taylor Yonago, who headed it backward across the goal. Cody Taff, charging from the other side, had a direct line for the score.
“Again, I think it was just a matter of everyone giving 100 percent,” said Crain.
Ferris’ final goal, another 10 minutes into the half, was simply a case of Anderson getting past Cheney’s defense and beating them to Joseph Hatcher’s long pass, then winning a one-on-one with Hooley.
Both Ferris and Cheney had entered the contest tied for third with identical 4-1 records, their losses by shootout.
The Saxons were beaten by Mead in the GSL season opener. Cheney’s loss had been to CV after leading much of the time.
The crucial match figured to be close. For a half it was, but Ferris won most all the 50-50 balls and became more dominant as the match wore on, ending with a substantial 16-5 shot advantage.
“I think some of our kids were a little hesitant,” said Robin Crain, “because they thought they might not be able to play with some of their players.”
At intermission he preached confidence and everybody giving 100 percent.
Trevor Crain was able to neutralize Blackhawks standout Jesse Retan on defense, particularly late in the game
Ferris came away with what coaches termed a “huge” win, heading into a meaty four-game stretch, including games against EV and CV, after the a 12-day break.
Elsewhere, Ben Funkhouser scored three times and EV (6-0) remained perfect with a 6-1 home victory over Clarkston (1-5). All of the Knights’ goals came in the first half. … In handing the Bears (5-1) their first loss, host Mead (5-1) won its third by shootout. John Schaub decided it on the seventh penalty shot. Neither team scored in regulation until the 59th minute, then CV’s Jay Vela and Mead’s Ian Matson connected 4 minutes apart. That’s how it stood until the shootout. … North Central (4-2) tied Mead for sixth place with a 3-0 victory at Shadle Park (2-4). Scott Harris scored twice, including off a cross by Travis Green. … Two goals in the game’s final 20 minutes, by Nick Bates and Micah Fischer, lifted Mt. Spokane (3-3) over Gonzaga Prep (0-6). Fischer’s deflected off G-Prep goalie Eric Davidson. … Rogers’ Justin Erickson made some exceptional saves, but the host Pirates (0-6) lost 5-0 to University (3-3). Keith Realing scored twice, and Michael Ramos and Billy McElroy each had a goal and assist. … Peter Dunau had two goals and an assist as Lewis and Clark (4-2) defeated host West Valley (0-6). The Tigers share fourth place with Cheney.