Veteran Lewis and Clark heads to State 4A boys soccer tournament with high goals

Lewis and Clark’s boys soccer players are ready to make the most out of another appearance at state.

That goes double for the seniors, who hope to keep their careers alive with a win over Davis of Yakima in a first-round 4A match Wednesday night.

Kickoff is at 5:30 at Spokane Falls Community College. If the Tigers win, they will host Pasco or Todd Beamer in a quarterfinal match this weekend.

“I’ve been really pleased with our team’s performance this season,” said coach Mica Lamb, whose team tied Ferris for the Greater Spokane League title with an 8-1 record.

“I also love the senior leadership on this squad,” Lamb said. “We have quite a few three- and four-year players that understand what it takes to win.”

In particular, Lamb cited senior centerback Zak Deutschman for limiting opponent’s opportunities throughout the playoffs.

Fellow seniors Bailey Rosenau and Will Hoefer have made key contributions on offense – Hoefer with goals in playoff wins over Chiawana and Richland, and Rosenau with the Tigers’ lone goal in a 2-1 penalty kick shootout loss to Pasco in the regional championship match last week.

The Tigers didn’t get to 15-2-1 overall without help from underclassmen such as sophomore midfielder Eli Armstrong and junior defender Lewis Barbe.

Another underclassman, junior forward Brooks Schaff, will be full strength for state after suffering a hamstring injury last month.

Davis is only 7-5-1 but finished second behind Wenatchee in the rugged Big Nine Conference. Two years ago, LC fell to Wenatchee 2-1 in a first-round match at SFCC.

“We know that in order to achieve the goals we have set, we must play our best game, each game, from here on out,” Lamb said. “There are only great teams remaining. That being said, we have much left to prove and we look forward to the challenge and opportunity.”