Scoreless draw puts Spokane Shine in first

The Spokane Shine and Emerald City FC could only find the woodwork Saturday afternoon in Seattle, hitting the post a combined three times in a scoreless stalemate.

The result put the Shine at the top of the division by one point after also posting a 1-0 victory the night before in Issaquah, who is tied with for second with the Portland Rain, Spokane's next opponent at Joe Albi Stadium next Saturday, June 23 at 3:00 pm PT.

Two consecutive shutouts for Stephanie Busch

Julissa Rodriguez, who was taken down previous night for what proved to be a winning goal off a free kick, sent the ball off the post in the contest as Spokane outshot Emerald City 12-10.

Stephanie Busch, battling a shoulder injury, posted a second consecutive shutout with four saves. Issaquah is the only other team with two shutouts to its credit.

Four points out of six on the road trip was quite an accomplishment for what has been an injury-plagued side, a concern coach Jason Quintero had going into the weekend.

"To come away the first half of the season where four of the first five games were away, that's okay. I'm completely good with that

"A draw is a pretty fair result for both squads," he added, given that Emerald City sent two shots off the post as well.

The Shine now play four of the next five at home with a week idle after next Saturday's match, giving them plenty of time to prepare for the stretch run in the playoff chase.