Soccer success depends on developing youth

A youth movement is afoot for the Cheney High boys' soccer team.

The 2016 Blackhawks have just one senior, John Beale, listed on its 18-player roster. Compare that to last year's team with eight soon-to-be graduates on a squad that went 12-7-1 overall, 9-3 in Great Northern League play and lost a 1-0 shootout on the road to Quincy in regionals.

This year's team carries five freshmen, but also features a good mix of sophomores and juniors - seven who return with varsity playing time.

It all translates into a sense of newness for this year's Blackhawks - beginning with first time high school head coach Morgan Hartanov. Hartanov replaces Mark Kiver, who stepped down in December.

Five juniors return from last year's team, beginning with captains Noah Prophet and Kelby Holland and followed by Blake Smith, Alex Torres and Trevor Babcock. Returning sophomores are Adam Deutsch and Gabe Hemenway.

Hartanov's focus so far has been defense, and it's shown in Cheney's first four games. Only two goals have been scored against the Blackhawks - both last Saturday by Pullman.

Employing a 4-3-3 alignment, Hartanov's defensive starters are freshman Dillon Reeder at right back, with Deutsch at left back and Babcock and Smith at center backs. At midfield are Holland, Hemenway and freshman Sam Fix; a player Hartanov said is skilled at ball possession and knowing his position. Up front will be Prophet, bringing speed to an outside wing, with freshman Noah Schorzman providing versatility at the other wing and fellow freshman Camden VerStrate - who Hartanov said should "score a lot" - at striker.

In goal is sophomore Dalton Mauzay, a player Hartanov feels could be one of the best goalkeepers in the state. Torres will be have a key role off the bench at striker, as will sophomore Graham West, who is rehabbing an ankle he rolled in practice.

"He will be a big-time player," Hartanov said of West. "He could step in and be a starter any day."

The challenge for the Blackhawks right now is their youth and level of experience, not only in playing at the varsity level but in Hartanov's system, which stresses keeping the ball on the ground. Hartanov's own unfamiliarity with the GNL also plays a part.

"That will change by the end of the season," he said of both challenges.

Cheney's strength is their depth, not only numbers but also ability to play a variety of positions on the pitch. The Blackhawks are also a "technical team," Hartanov said, and just need to keep growing in the new system.

After opening with a 5-0 win over Greater Spokane League 3A school North Central March 12, the Blackhawks hit the road to face Ephrata of the Central Washington Athletic Conference. Cheney left the Columbia Basin city with a 2-0 win over the Tigers, getting a goal from VerStrate, assisted by Holland and a penalty kick score from Prophet.

The Blackhawks lost two heartbreakers in their first GNL action, beginning with a 1-0 shootout (6-5) setback at East Valley March 17. Cheney controlled the tempo for most of regulation and the first four minutes of overtime Saturday at home against Pullman, only to have the Greyhounds Matt Winchell get behind the defensive line and evade Mauzay to connect on the game-winner from about 18 yards out, giving the visitors a 2-1 win.

Cheney out shot Pullman 12-4, with Mauzay making three saves. After a Greyhounds goal two minutes into the second half, the Blackhawks notched the equalizer when VerStrate possessed a ball inside the 18-yard box and after a couple dribble moves to evade defenders, sent in a right-to-left goal in the 48th minute.

In both losses, Hartanov said the difference was the team just didn't finish its scoring chances, something that should become less of an issue as the season progresses.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.