Houck Scores Lone Goal In Shadow Win Alert Play, Defensive Unity Help Spokane Remain Unbeaten

It wasn’t a typical Spokane Shadow soccer game but it had a typical ending.

Brett Houck’s tap-in goal in the 53rd minute gave the Shadow a 1-0 win over the Cascade Surge before 1,358 at Albi Stadium Saturday night.

The Shadow controlled the game but, after playing in Bellingham on Friday night, lacked their usual offensive spark.

“For 60 minutes we were in control and then fatigue set in,” Shadow coach Sean Bushey said. “It’s hard to play back-to-back. Still, they gutted it out, worked hard and didn’t give up many chances.”

The Shadow raised their record to 5-0, 4-0 and 12 points in the USISL Premier League Northwest Division. Cascade fell to 3-4 and has seven points for second. Two of the Surge losses have been to the Shadow.

The winning goal came off a corner kick by Zane Higgins. He rolled the ball to Stuart Saunders at the corner of the keeper box and he directed it to Houck, who was alone in front.

“I told (Higgins) at halftime they weren’t picking me up on corners,” Saunders said. “I got lucky, I had a good touch. I was trying to put it to the net and hopefully somebody could get it.”

Houck’s shot was basically uncontested.

“They left me open, no one marked me,” Houck said. “The goalie was yelling but no one picked me up. I had a pretty open path the whole way (to see the ball) and I got a good turn (to make the shot).”

Saunders, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, and Houck, 6-4, 215, are defenders who set up in front of the net on corner kicks.

“We have a pretty big back line,” Houck explained. “We like to utilize it on set plays. When we have a set play they try to get me the ball in the air.”

Defense was the key for the Shadow after driving from Bellingham during the day. Cascade was more fresh after playing in Yakima on Friday.

“There was pressure on the whole team to play defense as a unit,” Houck said. “When we play as a team, we don’t get tired. When we play defense as a unit, that allows us to counter.”

The Shadow ended up with 13 shots on goal to seven for the Surge.

“We kept possession,” Bushey said. “The possession they had was out in front of us.”

Cascade shot wide from close range on its best chance of the first half and Spokane keeper Joshua Fouts deflected Jonathan Buehler’s shot over the goal in the 72nd minute.

“It was rough and tumble at times, but we controlled possession,” Saunders said. “After playing on a narrow field (in Bellingham) and bunching up, it was nice to see us do that.”

Spokane was also a little shorthanded. Kieran Barton and Jeff Rose were injured in Friday’s 3-1 victory over the Orcas but couldn’t be replaced.

“We’re deep enough, but you have to submit your roster (for the weekend) on Friday,” Bushey said.

The Shadow will have a similar situation next week, although the trip is shorter. Friday’s game is in Yakima against the Reds before Bellingham plays at Albi on Saturday.

Shadow 1, Surge 0

First half - none. Second half - 1, Spokane, Houck (Saunders) 53:00.

Shots on goal - Cascade 7, Spokane 13. Saves - Cascade: Bage 9. Spokane: Fouts 6. Attn. - 1,358.

, DataTimes