Clark and Spokane Win Friday to Advance to NWAC Finals

TUKWILA, Wash. – The Clark and Spokane women's soccer teams each advanced to the NWAC finals with victories over Columbia Basin and Lower Columbia at the NWAC Championships on Friday at Starfire Stadium.

Clark 2, Columbia Basin 1
Clark team got goals from their top-two scorers as they defeated Columbia Basin 2-1 in the semifinals of the NWAC Women's Soccer Championships at Starfire Stadium on Friday.

The Penguins advance to their second NWAC Finals in as many years after falling to Peninsula 1-0 in 2021. They will play Spokane in the championship game on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Anna Neal and Kelli Huskic, two of the top scorers in the NWAC and the leading scorers for Clark, each scored a goal in the Penguins' victory. After a scoreless first half, Huskic put the Penguins on the board in the first few minutes of the second half. After a throw in, Chloe Klappholz sent a great pass into the box that Huskic was able to deflect past the keeper and into the net.

Columbia Basin did not go away quietly, however, answering back in the 77th minute with the equalizer. The Hawks used quick passes as Yareli Sanchez found Hali'A Kalehuawehe, who made a quick pass straight to the head of Violet Duran who finished with the header.

Less than six minutes later it was the sophomore combo of Huskic and Neal who combined for the eventual game-winning goal in the 83rd minute. Huskic received a pass in the box and perfectly set it for Neal, who drilled it of the keeper's gloves and into the net.

The Penguins had the field tilted for much of the game, outshooting the Hawks 22-5 for the match, with a 3-1 lead in corner kicks. CBC's Kylie Patock recorded seven saves in net, while Clark's Amanda Jeschke finished with two saves in the win.

Spokane 4, Lower Columbia 1
With each team coming off wins in the penalty kick shootout in the quarterfinals, it was the Spokane Sasquatch who were able to continue their momentum, taking down the Red Devils by a 4-1 score.

After playing a nearly scoreless first half, the Sasquatch put on in just before the break. Kaylee Gallegos put Spokane on the board, heading to halftime with a 1-0 lead. Spokane immediately added a second goal in the first minute of the second half as Alexa Deatherage, the team's leading scorer, drilled a left-footed shot from over 25 yards out to put the Sasquatch ahead by two.

The Red Devils narrowed the deficit to one quickly, scoring in the 54th minute to make it 2-1. Lauren Maxfield was stopped on 1-on-1 chance with the Spokane keeper Kiah Gary but stuck with her rebound and beat a couple defenders for the hard-earned goal. The Sasquatch answered back themselves, however, as Deatherage scored her second of the day to bring the lead back to two goals. Ellie Johnson finished the scoring in the 64th minute, effectively putting the match away.

Opportunities were close overall in the match as Lower Columbia outshot Spokane 20-15 for the match. Gary was strong in net for the Sasquatch with 10 saves, while LCC's Kyla Pires made four saves.

Clark and Spokane will meet in the finals, their first matchup of the season. Spokane will be looking for its third NWAC title, while Clark goes for its first-ever championship. The Penguins are making their third appearance in the finals in the last four years. The match will take place on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Starfire Stadium.

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