INW Best XI - Week 9: Larson & Luu lead Whitworth and CC Spokane to sweeps

Each week INWsoccernews will release lists of the week’s best performances for men’s and women’s soccer in the region, recognizing players at schools in the region or those from the area that play elsewhere in the nation.

For games of October 14-20

BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST XI - MEN

G - Curtis Hill (Spokane, WA) - CC Spokane :: Playing behind a back line still trying to cope with his brother Travis' absence, the keeper made numerous key saves throughout the match, making the scoreline give the false appearance of an easy win.

INW MEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK :: D - Balin Larson - Whitworth :: Led the defensive unit that allowed no shots on goal by the perfect Puget Sound Loggers, handing them their first loss 1-0, and the relatively easy 4-1 victory over Pacific Lutheran in which he also converted a penalty. Played all but four minutes over the two games. (Seattle, WA)

D - Spencer Wolfe - Whitworth :: Helped lead the defensive unit that allowed no shots on goal by the perfect Puget Sound Loggers, handing them their first loss 1-0, and the relatively easy 4-1 victory over Pacific Lutheran in which he forced an own goal with a free kick from midfield. (Bellingham, WA)

M - Sam Selisch - Whitworth :: Scored the opener on a fantastic run through the defense and was a key part of the play that led to the foul for the penalty to make it a two-goal advantage in a 4-1 win over Pacific Lutheran. (Port Townsend, WA)

M - Luis Torres - Great Falls :: Scored two goals and set up the one in the middle in a 3-0 victory against Westminster. (Bogota, Colombia)

M - Junpei Tsuji - Whitman :: Clutch. He literally scored with one second remaining on the clock at the end of the second overtime session for the 1-0 win over Pacific Lutheran. (Issaquah, WA)

F - Conner Bevans - Gonzaga :: Set up the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over visiting Portland and scored the Zags' lone goal in a 2-1 loss at Santa Clara. (La Habra Heights, CA)

F - Joao Cardoso - College of Idaho :: Set up both goals in a 2-0 victory at Oregon Tech. (Brasila, Brazil)

F - Brian Clark - CC Spokane :: Scored a pair of early goals to help lead the Bigfoot to a 3-0 victory over Columbia Basin. (Ipswich, England)

F - Mario Guizar (Kennewick, WA) - Walla Walla CC :: Scored twice in the Warriors 5-1 victory over Wenatchee Valley and added a third in the 2-0 win at Columbia Basin.

F - Adam Talley (Newman Lake, WA) - North Idaho College :: Scored a pair of goals in a 4-1 road win over Edmonds CC and had two close calls in a 2-1 victory at Highline CC in which he did set up the opening goal.


BEST OF THE INLAND NORTHWEST XI - WOMEN

G - Dakota Wickard (Pullman, WA) - Columbia Basin :: Probably the only time a keeper gives up four in two games and makes this list - she made a number of good saves in a 3-1 loss at Spokane and made 17 saves against division leader Walla Walla in a 1-0 loss, giving up the lone goal with 20 minutes left.

D - Daniela Vargas (Wenatchee, WA) - Wenatchee Valley :: Set up the team's second goal - the first in the three-goal rally - and went on to score herself and set up the important equalizer for the 4-4 draw.

M - Erin Huisingh (Pasco, WA) - Concordia :: Scored the game-winner in a 2-1 victory at Southern Oregon and tallied a goal and assist in the team's 9-0 rout at Oregon Tech.

M - Rachel Saleen (Boise, ID) - Northwest University :: Tied up, she scored the game-winner in a 7-1 victory against visiting College of Idaho and went on to score the opener and set up the second in the team's 2-1 victory against visiting Eastern Oregon.

M/F - Emilee Cordon (Coeur d'Alene, ID) - North Idaho College :: Scored the opening goal in a 2-0 victory at Salt Lake CC and and netted two more goals in a 4-0 road victory against the Colorado State Club side.

M/F - Sydney Nelson (Spokane, WA) - Eastern Oregon :: Scored the opening goal and set up two others in a 4-0 victory at Evergreen State and set up the Mountaineers' equalizer in a 2-1 loss at Northwest University.

F - Mandi Achten (Billings, MT) - Rocky Mountain :: Scored the lone goal to hand Carroll its first loss at home, 1-0, in two years and set up the game-winner in the 2-1 road win at Westminster.

F - Haley Curtis (Yakima, WA) - Utah Valley :: Created the second go-ahead goal for the Wolverines at Idaho with her saved shot being put away on the rebound, and went on to score the 3-2 winner in overtime.

F - Amanda Ellsworth - Idaho State :: The junior scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Sacramento State, becoming the program's all-time leading goal scorer and drawing even in career points at the top of the list. (Roseville, CA)

F - Regan Hyde (Preston, ID) - Treasure Valley :: Scored the second goal in a 2-0 victory against Yakima Valley and played a key role in putting Treasure Valley up three with two goals and an assist only to see Wenatchee Valley come back for a 4-4 draw.

INW WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK :: F - Tasha Luu (Colville, WA) - CC Spokane :: Tasha Luu scored twice, including one on a fantastic run through the defense, in a 3-1 victory over Columbia Basin and added a hat-trick performance in a 5-0 victory over Yakima Valley.

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