Boys soccer notes: Central Valley, Lewis and Clark regroup for key Greater Spokane League match

Just as the Central Valley boys soccer team was hitting its stride, along came spring break.

“It would have been nice to have some more practices,” CV coach Andres Monrroy said ahead of Wednesday night’s Greater Spokane League showdown with Lewis and Clark.

“Still, we are jelling offensively and we’re finding our stride earlier than usual,” Monrroy said.

The GSL season is only one-third over, but Wednesday’s 6:15 p.m. game at CVHS Stadium will go far in deciding the league title. Both teams are 3-0 in league play, sharing the lead with Ferris.

It could a battle of styles. The Bears (5-2 overall) have 11 goals in three league matches. Connor Wold had a hat trick in a 4-1 win over Mead, while Jake Levine scored twice in the GSL opener at Gonzaga Prep.

At the same time, CV’s defense is protecting sophomore goalkeepers Andrew Bertone and Logan Coddington, who’ve given up just two goals in GSL play.

Monrroy credits a tough preseason schedule – which included defending State 4A champ Wenatchee and perennial power Pasco – for toughening up the young Bears.

To beat LC, Monrroy said the Bears will stick to a winning formula: “Maintain possession, dictate the pace and keep it wide.”

Lewis and Clark is 8-1 overall thanks mainly to a defense that’s given up just two goals in its last five matches.

Despite returning just four starters and eight lettermen, “This team has come together quicker than I anticipated,” coach Mica Lamb said.

“Our team is still primarily juniors and sophomores, but I’ve been incredibly proud of our two senior starters, Colby Aitchison and Brennan Murphy,” Lamb said.

Lamb should be proud: Aitchison and Murphy are coming off two-goal performances in a 4-1 win over Mead before spring break.

In the back, Zak Deutschman had led a solid defense in front of keepers Josh Via and John Zylak.

Looking ahead to CV, Lamb said, “We’re aware of how dynamic they can be and know we’ll face our stiffest test yet trying to slow them down.

“My kids are looking forward to the challenge.”

Ferris (4-4 overall) will stay tied atop the standings if it can get past Rogers and North Central this week.

The Saxons, who host CV on April 19, are getting solid play from freshman keeper Jadon Bowton, who has 12 saves in his last two games.

Caden Martin and Max Thompson have two goals apiece in league play for the Saxons.