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.

Teenagers Marbury and Jordan shine under pressure

Mead's Kara Marbury (L) and Central Valley's Allison Jordan (R) - Photos: Gerald Barnhart

The WPSL Northwest Division title is up for grabs this weekend for the Spokane Shine. But no matter the results, the outlook looks bright for the club beyond the two matches versus fellow contender Emerald City FC (Friday, 7:00 pm PT) and winless Oregon Rush (Saturday, 2:00 pm PT) at Joe Albi Stadium. High school standouts Kara Marbury (Mead) and Allison Jordan (Central Valley) are a key factor in that potential.

“I am really excited for the next few years and what’s gonna happen. [Marbury] is gonna be something special for Spokane Shine fans for hopefully years to come, and she’s only 16,” said Spokane Shine head coach Jason Quintero, echoing similar thoughts later about 17-year old Allison Jordan. “Right now, just the growth she’s had in the past month, I don’t know what she’s gonna be like in a couple years for us – it’s gonna be something special.”

Timbers U-23s add Spokane’s Hamer

Gonzaga University sophomore Nick Hamer is looking to get a jump start on a professional career, joining the USL Premier Development League side Portland Timbers U-23s on Friday. The Mead High School product saw immediate action with the development side of the MLS club.

Hamer started all 15 matches last season for Gonzaga, recording two goals and two assists. As a freshman, he was named to the West Coast Conference All-Freshman Team after being one of only two Bulldog players to start all 19 matches.

Whitecaps Women add second Spokane product

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Spokane native Marissa Mykines as one of its four newest additions to the roster for 2012. The Mead High School product joins fellow Spokane Shadow alum Alison Fenter (Shadle Park HS) on the squad.

Local high school sophomores return to Spokane Shine

The Spokane Shine of the Women's Premier Soccer League announced today the return of a pair of local high school sophomores to the roster for the summer. Joining the team will be Mead's Kara Marbury and University's Hannah Holm.

Marbury, also plays for local youth clubs Spokane Shadow and Washington Premier FC, is entertaining offers for several universities nationally, including the northwest's University of Portland and Washington State University. Also in consideration are Baylor, Illinois and Purdue.

Holm, who also plays for local youth club FC Spokane, is currently a member of US Youth Soccer's national Olympic Development Program pool.