Williams leads Shadow in home opener
(Photo by GERALD BARNHART) Former Sandpoint standout Tanner Williams, right, scored a goal and dished out two dimes in the Spokane Shadow’s home opening win over Seattle.
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint native Tanner Williams propelled the Spokane Shadow to a 3-0 victory over visiting OSA FC from Seattle with a goal and two assists in front of more than 900 fans on Wednesday evening at Spokane Falls Community College.
Williams, who spent last season playing professionally in Riga, Latvia, didn’t take very long to make his presence felt on his new National Premier Soccer League squad. Williams played in the league in the past with the Kitsap Pumas, prior to the most recent stint in Europe, and the quick forward figures to be a handful for opposing defenders.
The brilliant night from Williams started in the 17th minute when he clipped a ball into Chase Reidt as he broke past the back line, finishing with a little shot past the keeper.
In the 21st minute a quick transition up the field led to Williams’ goal. Karl Muelheims made a great play chesting the ball down at midfield to an awaiting Mike Ramos, who lofted a perfect ball over the back line. Williams beat the keeper to the ball just inside the box for the finish.
Williams combined with Jake Levine for the final goal to cap the match. Williams would eventually deliver a short cross inside the box with Levine sliding in to finish at point blank range in the 89th minute.
The Shadow are now 1-0-2 having played to a pair of draws on the road last week; a 4-4 result at OSA FC Saturday and a 2-2 tie at the Kitsap Pumas Sunday.
The Spokane Shadow First Team is on the road this weekend for a pair of NPSL games in greater Portland, facing PDX FC at 1 p.m. on Saturday and FCM Portland at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Shadow’s next home game is against 2017 division champion Kitsap at 3 p.m. in a game broadcast on SWX.