Cheney loses to WV, EV
Kaitlin Teeters (right) reads her speech about her sister Carissa Teeters (left). Carissa Teeters was one of three seniors who were honored after the Lady Blackhawks' Oct. 22 game against East Valley.
The Lady Blackhawks soccer team finished their regular season with Great Northern League losses to West Valley (2-1, Oct. 18) and East Valley (2-0, Oct. 22).
Despite losing their last three matches, Cheney (6-6 GNL, 18 points, 10-6 overall) had their best finish since 2011 and has a firm grip on third place in the league standings.
In the West Valley game, the Eagles took the lead on Abby McConnell's goal in the 25th minute.
"We didn't come out playing with intensity like we have in the past," head coach Nels Radtke said. "It wasn't the best half so at halftime, I challenged the girls to come out strong (in the second)."
Cheney tied the game on Gabby Nguyen's goal in the 50th minute. McConnell capped the win for West Valley with a goal in the 65th minute.
The Eagles outshot the Lady Blackhawks 12-7 with Nicole Rowley making 10 saves.
"We were playing well until we gave up that goal and then we kind of fell apart from there," Radtke said.
In the East Valley game, the Knights took the lead on Syndey Moore's solo goal in the 44th minute. East Valley's Charity Yount added an insurance goal, assisted by Shannon Frucci, in the 78th minute.
Despite the loss, Radtke said his team had performed better in the East Valley game than in previous two matches.
"The goal for the East Valley game was to honor the seniors and I think we did that," Radtke said.
East Valley outshot Cheney 9-4 with Rowley making seven saves.
The Lady Blackhawks started their regular season on a hot streak, winning nine of their first 10 games. Since then, they've won only one in their last six. Radtke noted that his team is experienced but still young.
"They're finding out that playing at the club level is a lot different than playing in high school," Radtke said of the eight freshmen on varsity.
After the East Valley game, seniors Rowley, Carissa Teeters and Justess Neihart were honored for their contributions to the team.
Radtke thanked them for their hard work and said they were a part of what he referred to as "the turnaround group for the program."
"Their leadership is what helped us this year, and they played through some frustrating times," Radtke said. "This was a good season for them to end (their high school careers) on, though it's not over yet."
The Lady Blackhawks begin the first round of District 7 playoffs at home in a loser-out game against fourth-place West Valley tonight (Oct. 27) at 3 p.m.
If Cheney defeats the Eagles, they will host the winner of the Clarkston-Pullman game on Saturday, Oct. 29.
If the Lady Blackhawks win the Saturday contest, they will advance to the championship round at East Valley, Nov. 1
"Thursday will be the big one for us," Radtke said. "I'm not ready to be done coaching these girls just yet."
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
Reader Comments(0)