The Cheney High School boys soccer team was handed two Great Northern League losses last week against Pullman and Clarkston, bringing their conference record to 2-8 and 3-10 overall.
Against Pullman, freshman Dillon Newbry scored a goal for the Blackhawks en route to a 2-1 loss. The Greyhounds scored early in the game due to a deflected shot, taking the 1-0 lead. Just before the half, Cheney got on the scoreboard with the goal from Newbry and the assist to sophomore Alexander Torres, tying it at 1-1.
“The second half was a very entertaining game that produced great opportunities on both sides,” head coach Rene Caro said.
With 10 minutes left, the Greyhounds were awarded a penalty kick and capitalized on the opportunity, taking the game to 2-1. Torres almost sent it into overtime on the last play of regulation, but just missed the opportunity.
“Overall, we saw lots of good things and continue to be optimistic heading into the GNL tournament,” Caro added.
Cheney traveled to Clarkston on April 19 and lost 4-2. The Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals from junior Joel Solanke with an assist from senior goalkeeper Dalton Mauzay along with a penalty kick from senior Noah Schorzman.
The Blackhawks weren’t able to maintain that lead as the Bantams scored four goals in the second half. Cheney took seven shots compared to Clarkston’s 16 and Mauzay collected 12 saves.
“We failed to stay composed and manage the lead as we, slowly but surely, saw that lead slip away,” Caro said. “We knew Clarkston was going to come out firing but our boys couldn’t weather the storm. We had little to no response to their second-half approach. It is in games like these that we learn the most from ourselves, mentally and physically.”
Cheney played on Tuesday, April 24 against West Valley. The team closes out the regular season this Saturday, April 28, at home against East Valley, beginning at 4 p.m.
The GNL tournament begins on May 3 with match ups yet to be determined.
Grace Pohl can be reached at grace@cheneyfreepress.com.
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