SPOKANE, WA— (Shadow release) In front of a boisterous group of over 700 fans, the Spokane Shadow took to the field for the first time since 2005 Saturday evening and put on a great show only to suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of visiting Bellingham United at the newly-renovated Spokane Falls Stadium.
The hosts jumped to the lead in the early going when a fantastic counter was finished nicely by 2013 WCC Player of the Year Nick Hamer, a graduating senior at Gonzaga. Seattle University striker and U-High product Mikey Ramos was streaking up the middle in the 11th minute when he spotted Hamer to his right. The Mead grad beat his defender and then proceeded to put the ball past the onrushing keeper from about eight yards out, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Photo Galleries: Erik Smith / Spokane Soccer Photos and Facebook.com/EvergreenPremierLeague
Press: Spokesman-Review article and SWX Right Now video reel
The excitement was short-lived however as the visitors used a pair of headers in the box off of a cross to pull even through Keith Ferris and Conlon Kiffney three minutes later.
The Shadow increased their dominance over the visiting side throughout the contest, but were never quite able to find the dagger to deliver the win. In the 43rd Hamer nearly doubled his tally with two great opportunities.
The chances continued in the second half with Josh Phillips unleashing a long effort six minutes in and Ramos arguably rushed a great opportunity in the 64th, putting it wide.
In the 70th minute the Hammers found what the Shadow had been looking for when Gibril Freeman nodded in a ball that developed off of a throw-in.
It would prove to be enough despite the Shadow’s continued threats to the Bellingham goal. The hosts finished with a 16-4 advantage in shots and had eight corners to Bellingham’s none.
Full Scoring Summary
Bellingham United 2, Spokane Shadow 1
SPO: Nick Hamer (Mikey Ramos)
BEL: Keith Ferris (Conlon Kiffney)
BEL: Gibril Freeman (DJ Drevitch)
Lineups
Bellingham Starters: Brian Swanson; Keith Ferris, Nolan Smith, Carlos Badillo, Chris Jepson; Ryo Matsubara, Tyler Bjork, Kenny Parker; Carlos Betancourt, Conlon Kiffney, Muhammed Mareneh – Subs Used: DJ Drevitch, Gibril Freeman, Tony Clarke, Jack Fuchs – Subs not used: Riley Liddle, Jacob Vaughn
Spokane Starters: Keane Ellis; Josh Phillips, Greg Carter, Aaron Jeffery, Andrew Newman, Zane Meehan; Pete Peterson, Elliot Fauske, Nick Hamer; Kevin Forrest, Mikey Ramos – Subs Used: Devin Leon, Sam Selisch, Adam Tlley – Subs not used: Dustin Ferfer, Matt Beaulaurier, Christian Botuli, Joe Scott
Discipline:
SPO: Nick Hamer 68, Devin Leon 73, Pete Peterson 85
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In this article there is a mistake. In the Bellingham Hammers vs Spokane Shadow section, the assist for the Hammers’ first goal was in correctly credited to Conlon Kiffney. It should be attributed to Nolan Smith, #14.
“The excitement was short-lived however as the visitors used a pair of headers in the box off of a cross to pull even through Keith Ferris and Conlon Kiffney three minutes later.”