Blackhawks run soccer winning streak to four

How quickly things have turned for the Cheney High boys' soccer team.

After suffering back-to-back heartbreakers, a 1-0 shootout loss at East Valley followed by a 2-1 overtime setback at home to Pullman, the Blackhawks have responded by rattling off four consecutive wins, two coming against Greater Spokane League opponents.

Cheney equalized their Great Northern League record at 2-2 with wins over Clarkston and West Valley March 22 and March 24. Kelby Holland and Noah Schorzman each scored a pair of goals, with assists from Noah Prophet (2) and Gabe Hemenway, as Cheney hit the road to down the Bantams 4-1, and followed that by getting a goal from Trevor Babcock three minutes into overtime to top the Eagles 2-1 on the home pitch.

After a scoreless first half, Camden VerStrate put Cheney on the board with a goal, assisted by Holland, in the 85th minute, only to have West Valley get the equalizer just before the final whistle ending regulation. Cheney out shot both schools by a combined 22-7, with goalkeeper Dalton Mauzay making three saves against Clarkston.

The Blackhawks stepped out of league play and hit the road to take on GSL 3A school Mt. Spokane last Saturday. Prophet led Cheney with a pair of goals while Babcock notched a goal and an assist.

Hemenway and Schorzman also had assists for the shorthanded Blackhawks, who had six starters out against the Wildcats (2-0 GSL, 2-2 overall).

"The second tier guys stepped up and played well," Cheney head coach Morgan Hartanov said.

Hartanov added he felt the Wildcats were the best competition his team has seen so far this season, and that the win was a little sweeter than usual as it came against his high school alma mater. Cheney topped that with another sweet win Monday by downing University 2-1 - sweet in that in came against a couple of Blackhawk alums in Titans' head coach Mitch Weller and assistant Carson Lamphere.

Prophet gave Cheney a 1-0 lead on a goal in the 13th minute, assisted by Babcock. U-Hi equalized it in the 55th minute, but Babcock - off an assist from Christian Lamphere - knocked in the game winner in the 87th minute.

"The attack has been really money the past few games and our possession has been stronger," Hartanov said.

Cheney goes to 6-2 overall heading into spring break. While the schedule will be lighter the next two weeks, it won't be one to overlook as the Blackhawks have key league rematches with East Valley at home today (Thursday) and at Pullman April 5.

Hartanov said the team is starting to play the style of soccer he envisioned at the beginning of the season, and is growing in confidence. Injuries have been the biggest issue, with Holland out the past two games and Adam Deutsch absent after suffering a concussion at East Valley. Several other players such as Blake Smith, Graham West and Alex Torres are likely to be back this week.

"We're just looking at getting guys back and getting healthy," Hartanov said. "It's good, though, to see the younger guys stepping up."

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].