Blackhawks had high hopes
Cheney meets EV for berth in finale
Three years ago, Robyn Smith was the rookie head coach and Chelsea Breen, Tanya Baker, Kellie Zakrzewski, Nicole Fox and Jessica Ziemann were varsity freshmen when Cheney girls soccer last made the State 2A semifinals, finishing third.
“That was a good team,” Smith said. “But I think it was we were just happy to be there. It was a bonus we got to the semifinals.”
This year the veteran Blackhawks (19-1) have a different intent, Smith said. The expectation was to be in Puyallup, Wash., this weekend and play for more.
“Despite celebrating this achievement, the mentality is about completing the job,” she said.
The Blackhawks play East Valley (Yakima) at 6 p.m. today in Sparks Stadium, a match between two teams with similar tendencies. Both won leagues over strong top-end foes, both score goals in bunches and don’t give up many.
The Red Devils, fourth in state last year, shut down Pullman 4-1 and defending champion Fife 3-0 to get there.
Cheney blanked both Prosser and Ellensburg 5-0 to face its third straight Central Washington Athletic Conference foe. Sehome and Archbishop Murphy, who played in last year’s quarterfinals, meet again in the other semifinal.
East Valley (16-2) is led by Adrianna Jones and Kaylah Gonzales, who have combined for more than 40 goals and also lead in assists. The Red Devils’ losses are to West Valley (Yakima) and La Salle.
Cheney has given five goals all year, winning 15 matches by shutout, including the last nine.
“We need to make sure we stick to our commitment defensively,” Smith said. “We have great confidence in our defense.”
Zakrzewski has nearly as many goals as the EV pair with 36 overall, but there is plenty of firepower behind her.
Smith said the Blackhawks’ defense of Breen, Baker, Alysha Weller, Erica Orth and keeper Nora Ifft takes pride in not allowing goals.
•Boys 2B/1B: Northwest Christian will play Tacoma Baptist in the semifinals at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner at 8 tonight. The winner gets the winner of tonight’s other semifinal, Bear Creek vs. La Conner, on Saturday.
Northwest Christian (6-10-1) defeated league rival St. George’s last week to advance after having lost to the Dragons in three previous matches. Tacoma Baptist defeated Riverside Christian, a team that beat the NWC Crusaders this season, to reach the semis.