Strikers participate in Northwest Cup

The Striker U14-Boys recently entered the Northwest Cup in Spokane, where they went 1-2-1.

They opened with a strong game, defeating the host Spokane Falcons. Lane Smith scored a hat trick, tallying three goals and an assist, while keepers Kevin Hutchens and Jesse Myers held the Falcons to just one goal. The goal of the night was scored by Tyler Ariss, who headed in a 40-yard cross from Raleigh Hanson. Other goal scorers included Tyler Brown, Hanson, Avery Lies, Harrison Reasor and Hayden Wakkinen. Player of the game honors went to Ariss, Hutchens, Lies, Myers, Smith and Wakkinen.

In the second game, they took on a very fast and tall Spokane Express team. After giving up a first minute goal and being outplayed for the first 10 minutes, the Strikers came back with their best ball of the season, playing great team offense. Wakkinen scored on another beautiful 40-yard cross from Hanson, to tie the game up in the second half. Despite out-shooting the Express, their keeper kept the Strikers from scoring again. Player of the game honors went to Myers, who came up with numerous great saves in the goal, along with Ariss, Lies and Reasor, who played incredible defense against some very fast and skilled forwards. The offensive players of the game were Hutchens, Smith and Wakkinen, who put on a great display of passing, dribbling and shooting.

In the third game, the team faced the eventual tournament runner up, the Missoula Strikers. Their size and speed, along with the heat, kept the U14s from having a lot of success, as they fell 4-0. Finally, the U14s faced the River City Strikers for the third time in three weeks, falling 3-0. Tyler Jones and Avery Lies came up big on defense, as they were named players of the game.

The U14's record now stands at 8-4-1, as they prepare for the Kitsap Cup near Seattle at the end of the month.