Cheney tries to improve position for soccer playoffs

If the Cheney High boys’ soccer team is hoping to improve its playoff standing, there’s no better time than now to go on a little winning streak.

The Blackhawks currently sit in fourth-place in the Great Northern League at 3-4, nine points, 7-5 overall. They’re three games ahead of winless Clarkston and two games, six points behind third-place West Valley, but head coach Morgan Hartanov thinks his team has the quality and ability to set their sights higher.

Cheney maintained its position with a split of games last week, blanking Clarkston 4-0 on the road but suffering a 3-0 setback at West Valley. Cheney edged the Eagles 2-1 March 24.

At Clarkston April 12, the Bantams’ slow pace pretty much played into Cheney’s ball-control, possession-oriented style, giving the Blackhawks lots of minutes with the ball. Camden VerStrate capitalized on that with a goal in the 15th minute, assisted by Noah Prophet, and Kelby Holland made it 2-0 in the 35th minute off an assist from Graham West.

West got into the scoring column with a goal in the 46th minute, assisted by Colin Peirone, as did John Beale with an assist from Holland in the 50th minute. Cheney out shot Clarkston 22-7; with goalkeeper Dalton Mauzay making four saves.

Hartanov said the Blackhawks “manhandled” the host Eagles for most of their game April 14, but couldn’t recover from an early goal and find a way to win. West Valley scored in the fourth minute, and added insurance in the 65th and 76th minutes for the win.

West Valley out shot Cheney 17-13 with Mauzay making 11 saves.

Cheney begins its final rotation through the GNL schedule this week, traveling to East Valley Tuesday and hosting league-leaders Pullman Thursday. The Blackhawks have yet to beat either team, with three of the four contests going to overtime and beyond.

“We’d like to beat them once before heading into the postseason,” Hartanov said.

Hartanov said wins against the Knights and Greyhounds would give the team a huge boost in the playoff standings and a better chance at earning a first-round home game. Cheney finishes the season next week, traveling to Clarkston April 26 and hosting West Valley in the finale, Senior Day, April 28.

“We’re playing good ball, quality soccer,” Hartanov said. “We have the quality. We should be able to put these games away.”

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].