CV, Mt. Spokane play for state soccer berths
For different reasons, a trio of Greater Spokane League boys soccer teams have cause to be optimistic going into this week’s 4A regional matches.
• For Central Valley, it’s the confidence borne of a 15-0 record as the Bears play at Pasco tonight for a berth at state.
• For Lewis and Clark, it’s a newfound ability to come from behind, as witnessed by some clutch play last week at district;
• And for Ferris, it’s a return to form just when it matters most.
Ferris, the state runner-up last year, is still in the hunt after a 4-0 win over Gonzaga Prep, but may have received a bigger confidence boost two nights earlier from a hard-fought, 2-1 loss to CV. That defeat cost the Saxons a shot at the district title, but may have provided something more important.
“That was the point at which the kids really started believing in themselves as a group,” said Ferris coach Robin Crain, whose 12-6 team plays at Chiawana of Pasco tonight in a loser-out regional match.
“The biggest thing is that we’re doing more as a cohesive unit,” Crain said. “Everyone is on the same page.”
If Ferris can beat the 9-8 Riverhawks, they’ll face South Hill rival LC in another loser-out regional game on Thursday.
The Tigers beat Ferris 2-0 in the regular-season finale, then came from behind to beat G-Prep 2-1 at district. It was their first come-from-behind win of the year.
“It was good that we can concede a goal and come back,” coach Mica Lamb said.
Two days later, they dropped a 3-2 match to CV for the district title. That loss put LC in the loser’s bracket, but the Tigers showed they can put a dent in the best defense in the league.
“We had been focusing more on goal prevention,” Lamb said.
CV’s reward for winning district is a trip to face a 15-1 Pasco team that dominated the Mid-Columbia Conference. A win sends the Bears directly to state, while a loss would set them up to host another regional game on Saturday.
3A: Barely two weeks ago, Mt. Spokane was in last place in the Greater Spokane League; now the Wildcats are a win from state. Better yet, Mt. Spokane can punch its ticket tonight with a win against Kennewick at Joe Albi Stadium.
The Wildcats are only 5-8 overall, but they’ve won three straight by a combined score of 11-2. A 5-2 win over North Central on Friday carried them to the district title.
The Indians (4-10) will play Kamiakin in a loser-out match tonight at 6 at Spokane Falls Community College.
2A: Pullman plays host to Cheney today at 4 p.m. for the District 7 title, but both teams will advance to regional play on Saturday.
The Pullman-Cheney winner will host a team from District 5/6, while the loser must travel. Both regional matches are loser-out, with the winners advancing to state.