Williams, Ramos lead Shadow in playoffs tonight

SPOKANE — Former Sandpoint standout Tanner Williams will help lead the Spokane Shadow in the National Premier Soccer League playoff opener tonight against FCM Portland, with action starting at 7 p.m. at Spokane Falls Community College.

The Shadow (7-0-5) will look to remain unbeaten against well-known foe FCM Portland in the West Region Quarterfinals of the NPSL playoffs. Previous meeting ended in a 2-2 road draw, a 1-1 home tie and a 2-0 win at home.

For the first time since the team was founded in 1995, the Shadow finished the season without a loss during the regular season, quite an accomplishment for a team history that includes two recent Evergreen Premier League championships and five regular season USL PDL Northwest Division titles from 1996-2005.

Mike Ramos, who was a volunteer coach at the Strikers Soccer School in June, and Williams each have two goals against Portland this season, each tallying in the two-goal rally for the first tie and once again in the 2-0 win. Ramos has five goals and six assists on the year, while Williams is a leading scoring threat with four goals and five assists.

Gates open at 6:30, Kick-off at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $7 Adult/ $5 Youth, Seniors, Military.