By JOHN McCALLUM
Editor
The Cheney boys soccer team used solid defense and a mild offensive breakthrough to notch two more Great Northern League wins last week, keeping their league mark perfect heading towards round two of play.
The Blackhawks did something last Tuesday at home against Colville (0-6, 0-6) that they had struggled with through the first five games this season – finish offensively.
Cheney had a season-high 19 shots on goal; with four finding the back of the net in the 4-0 win over the Indians.
Bryce Parkinson got the Hawks scoring started with an unassisted goal in the ninth minute, with Austin Walker putting Cheney up 2-0 off an assist by Xavier Day in the 24th minute. Walker made it 3-0 with a goal just one minute into the second half, and Paul Holloway's solo goal in the 47th minute gave Cheney its final margin.
Cheney out shot Colville 19-8, with goalkeeper Andrew Wilson getting three saves, and Luke Haupt two.
Hawks' head coach Steve Davis was pleased with his club's performance, especially the offense, which not only got a lot of shots, but finished runs much better than in previous games, something he thinks will build confidence.
Thursday at Clarkston (2-4, 3-4), it was the defense's performance that carried the day, giving the Hawks' offense time to find a way to score against a tough, much improved Bantams' team.
Neither team could find the back of the net over the 80 minutes of regulation, or the first five-minute overtime period. But three minutes into the second overtime, Day controlled the ball, and slipped a pass to Walker, who broke clear of the Clarkston defense and slid a shot past the keeper to the far post for the 1-0 win.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities to put points on the board, with the Hawks out shooting the Bantams 16-12. Wilson had 12 saves.
Davis said Clarkston is always a tough field to play on, and that the Bantams are improved. Clarkston's record includes a win over North Central, currently fifth in the 11-team 4A/3A Greater Spokane League, and a couple close losses to West Valley and Medical Lake.
“The league is pretty even this year, so you've got to bring your best game for 80 minutes,” he added.
Cheney (6-0, 6-1) wrapped up the first round of GNL action by hosting Medical Lake (4-2, 5-3) on Tuesday. The Hawks begin round two by traveling to second-place Pullman (5-1, 5-2) on Thursday. Cheney edged the Greyhounds 1-0 in the season opener, with Pullman having won five straight since then.
Medical Lake, currently fourth, is also much improved, and Davis said his squad isn't looking past anyone right now. What the Hawks are looking at is weekly improvements, and Davis said they're beginning to see more of that, especially the ability to finish points.
“I think we're getting better at that,” he said. “We still have a lot of growth ahead of us.”
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com
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