First win escapes Cheney with close losses to Clarkston, Shadle

While the Lady Blackhawks are still looking for their first win of the 2014 season, they may be getting closer.

Cheney dropped a pair of soccer matches last week, both coming on the road. The Lady Blackhawks held Clarkston scoreless in the first half, but three minutes into the second frame gave up a goal to Bailee Wohl that proved to be enough in the Bantams 2-0 win last Tuesday. Clarkston’s Maddie Hoffman added another goal late in the game.

Thursday the Lady Blackhawks traveled to Spokane Falls Community College to face Greater Spokane League 3A school Shadle Park in the last of Cheney’s non-league friendlies. Cheney gave up goals just two minutes apart midway through the first period to Nicole Bennie (25th minute) and Karsen Hiner (27th minute) in losing 2-1 to the Highlanders.

Lady Blackhawks’ forward Kendyl Cone provided some offense late in the game, scoring an unassisted goal in the 74th minute.

Cheney was out shot in both games by a combined 20-8, with goalkeeper Paige Lewis recording 12 saves, seven at Clarkston and five against Shadle Park.

After being outscored 23-2 in its first four games, last week’s 4-1 goal differential is the best for the Lady Blackhawks this season. The nine shots on goal allowed at Clarkston is also a season low, with the 11 against Shadle Park second.

With the Clarkston loss, Cheney falls to 0-2 in Great Northern League action and 0-6 overall. The Lady Blackhawks now concentrate on league play, hosting defending GNL champion West Valley (3-0, 4-1) Tuesday and traveling to Pullman (0-2, 0-5) Thursday.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].