Prep boys soccer: Central Valley edges Ferris for return to State 4A
The Central Valley boys soccer team is back in the state playoffs.
“And that’s where we belong,” coach Andres Monrroy told his Bears Saturday afternoon after a dramatic 1-0 win over Ferris in a 4A regional match at Spokane Falls Community College.
That the win came in overtime – and on CV’s first goal in 164 minutes – didn’t dampen their confidence as the Bears hit the road next week.
“Do we get to take a charter bus?” one player asked as the Bears looked ahead to a first-round match at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Davis of Yakima.
“School bus,” Monrroy replied. “We’ll take a charter bus when we go to the final four.”
The road to state got a bit rocky this week for the Bears (14-3), who played for the state title last year and figured to have another good shot this year. After winning Greater Spokane League and District 8 titles, CV struggled to score this week in regional play.
The Bears dominated a defensive-minded LC squad on Thursday only to lose 1-0 late in regulation. They faced the same situation in Saturday’s loser-out contest against Ferris, a team they beat 3-0 a week ago at district.
“Offensively, we know we can score,” Monrroy said. “I understand what other teams have to do, but we have to continue being disciplined and playing our style.”
Ferris (10-6) gave as good as it got in the first half, but the Bears’ midfield asserted itself in the second. Saxons goalkeeper James Mann made several big-time saves, including two in a space of three minutes midway through the half.
But four minutes into overtime – and seconds before the teams would have changed ends – CV launched a winning counterattack. Senior forward Marc McClain had the ball 12 yards from goal, but his path was blocked by two Ferris defenders.
Teammate J.D. Hauenstein saw his chance.
“I told him (McClain) I was coming,” said Hauenstein, who cut across the goalmouth from 10 yards out while McClain pivoted and passed.
The ball found the chest of Hauenstein, who brought it down and fired past Mann into the far post.
If CV wins at Davis, it will be home for a quarterfinal match next weekend.
Lewis and Clark 1, Pasco 0: The Tigers (17-3) finished fourth in the GSL and third at district, but they’re 4A regional champs after their second straight 1-0 win.
This one came on the road against Pasco, the Mid-Columbia Conference champions, and assures the Tigers of up to two home matches at state.
The first will come on Tuesday against the No. 6 team from the South Puget Sound League.
With four minutes left in regulation, Bailey Rosenau struck the winner for LC.
3A regional
Mt. Spokane 3, Rogers 0: The Wildcats (7-9) did some soul-searching after last week’s district loss to Rogers, and it paid off with a win over the Pirates at SFCC.
The win also gives Mt. Spokane a home date next week in the first round of the State 3A. The Wildcats will host the fifth-place team from the Seattle-area Metro League, on Tuesday or Wednesday at SFCC.
“We came in with a purpose,” coach Ryan Campanella said after a second consecutive loser-out victory.
The match began like the first, with Mt. Spokane dominating possession and Rogers content to defend and counterattack. The Wildcats changed the script in the 19th minute, when Dylan Good tapped in a rebound.
Eight minutes later, Tyler Smith hit a screaming free kick from 40 yards that made it 2-0. Early in the second half, Good struck again from 15 yards after a series of passes.
“This time this time we knew how they played,” Good said. “We tweaked some things … and we played al little more aggressively.”
Rogers finished 7-11 after the best postseason run in school history.
“I’m a little disappointed today, but I’m proud that the boys played to the end,” Pirates coach Valentin Dimitrov said. “But I think this is a new beginning for our program.”
2A regional
Pullman 1, East Valley (Yakima) 0: Ryan Campbell scored from 22 yards at 78 minutes as the Greyhounds (15-3) defeated the visiting Red Devils to advance to State 2A play.
Will Pitzer had five saves for Pullman, which has allowed one goal in its last nine matches.
Pullman will host Quincy in a state opener on Tuesday.
Toppenish 5, East Valley 2: The host Wildcats (13-5-1) advanced to state by eliminating the Knights (12-6).