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| Schrader & Robertson (Gerald Barnhart) |
"We kept our focus, and we let up after we got the lead last week," head coach Jason Quintero said after the match. "This time, the girls dug in and held their ground."
With both teams finishing with 10 shots, it was a set piece that proved to be the deciding factor. Julissa Rodriguez was fouled just outside the box, setting up a free kick from Scottish youth international Lisa Robertson, who came into the match with an injured hamstring. Robertson's effort forced a sive from the Issaquah netminder, but the rebound fell to Maggie Schrader to put away at the half-hour mark.
Stephanie Busch would make six saves as the Shine picked up their second road win of the campaign in the first half of a two-game swing to western Washington.
The Shine, who now sit in a tie for first with Issaquah and the Portland Rain at 2-1-1, are in position with a positive result Saturday afternoon versus Emerald City FC to have control of the playoff chase going into the second half of the season with four home games in the last five outings.
Eugene Metro FC, the club that defeated Spokane in the Shine's first game of the season, dropped from second to fourth as they fell at home Friday evening, 2-1, to the Rain, who were saved from folding just prior to the season by Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers. The two sides were tied at the half with Portland getting the winner three minutes into the second frame.
