Friday, April 4, 2014

Spokane ties have created longstanding tradition between Alaska's Juneau-Douglas and pair of GSL schools

The two sides gathered for a pre-game photo - Photos by Gerald Barnhart | Full Gallery [+]
As it turns out, soccer in Spokane and Juneau, Alaska have quite a bit in common. A nearly lifelong connection between three coaches has spurred what is now a 15-year tradition between three schools separated by more than a 1,000 miles. Each spring, Gary Lehnhart brings his Bears down to Spokane to face Ferris and Mead; and on Friday evening their season opener at Joe Albi Stadium looked to be off to a great start only to see the Saxons prevail in the final 13 minutes, 2-1.

The visitors took an early lead on a fantastic individual effort 26 minutes into the contest and despite the Saxons controlling the second half handily, it was not until the 67th minute when Callan Martin scored the equalizer on a ball from Gonzaga-bound Connor Ourada, who would get the winner from the penalty spot in the 72nd.