It was an excellent fall high school season for many Spokane Shadow players. A number of players from the club helped lead Gonzaga Prep to the Washington State 4A semifinals and 22 players received league honors in the Greater Spokane League. Another dozen players were honored for their seasons in other area leagues. 

After posting an unbeaten GSL record in league play, the Bullpups survived several tiebreaker shootouts in the postseason en route to state semifinals before they were finally knocked out - via penalties - after a scoreless draw against Yakima's West Valley HS. Leading Gonzaga Prep in the campaign was junior midfielder Darby Doyle, who was named the league's Offensive MVP. She finished the season with six goals and seven assists in league and playoff games. 

In addition to Doyle, eight other Bullpups received All-League recognition in the GSL, including five Shadow players. Melissa Symmes (D, Sr.) and Larkin Russell (M, Sr.) were named First Team selections with Zoe Boleneus (G, Jr.) and Annie Clark (M, Sr.) were named Second Team. Ollie Branson (D, So.) was an Honorable Mention selection and former Shadow coach Billy Barmes was honored as co-Coach of the Year in his second season at the helm of the Bullpups. Russell finished as the leading scorer in the GSL with 11 goals and five assists. 

Shadow players swept the league's MVP honors with Ryann Rydeen, the senior goalkeeper from University, earning the Defensive player of the year award. The Titans allowed just four goals in nine league games during the regular season and posted seven shutouts, including postseason, on the campaign with Rydeen in goal for all seven. Fellow Shadow players from University also honored were First Team selection Morgan Crosby (M, Sr.), Second Team honorees Gabrielle Orndorff (D, Sr.) and Julia Adair (F, Jr.) as well as Honorable Mention Kelsey Crosby (M, Fr.).

Shadow players also swept the league MVP awards in the 2A Great Northern League and earned one of the two top awards in the 1A Northeast A League. 

Ashley Meyer (F, Sr.) was honored as the Offensive MVP after leading West Valley to second place in the GNL, finishing second in the league in goals (12) and points (28). East Valley's Hannah Burland (D, Sr.) was named the Defensive MVP for helping lead the Knights to the league title. The Knights, who went on to the state quarterfinals before being eliminated, finished the year with nine shutouts, which tied with Gonzaga Prep for the highest tally among Spokane-area schools. In addition to that, Burland provided six goals and four assists at the offensive end of the pitch. Two other Shadow players were honored in the GNL with All-League selections.

Not surprisingly, Deer Park's Riley Martinson (F, Jr.) was named the Offensive MVP in the NEA. She dominated the region in the scoring charts with 31 total goals before the Stags' season came to an end in the state quarterfinals, more than doubling the number tallied by any other player in the GSL or GNL. Four additional Shadow players were recognized as All-League selections in the NEA. 

Across the border in north Idaho, two Shadow players were recognized in the Inland Empire League's 5A classification All-League list with Lake City's Camryn Wendlandt (Sr.) and Lewiston's Madison Haas (So.) earning recognition. Lake City won the league and district title to advance to the Idaho State Tournament where they came up just short against Centennial in the championship game, falling 4-3 in a penalty kick tiebreaker after a 1-1 draw.

UPDATE

STATE SELECTIONS: In addition to earn league awards, a handful of Shadow players were honored by the WIAA with statewide awards. University's Ryann Rydeen was named 4A All-State, First Team with Gonzaga Prep duo Darby Doyle and Russell Larkin earning Second Team recognition. Prep's Melissa Symmes was chosen chosen as an Honorable Mention. East Valley's Hannah Burland was named to the 2A All-State, First Team and Deer Park's Riley Martinson was an All-State, Second Team choice at the 1A level. 

* All stats according to INWsoccernews.