SPOKANE, Wash. — It was a historic Saturday night in Spokane as the Spokane Zephyr took to the pitch against Fort Lauderdale United F.C. for the first women's professional soccer game ever played in the Lilac City.
Fans packed downtown Spokane including the entire Gonzaga women's soccer team, several local girls youth soccer organizations and Spokane Velocity midfielder Andre Lewis, to watch history at One Spokane Stadium.
In the 17th minute, the Zephyr struck as forward Emina Ekić danced into the box and was taken down resulting in a penalty kick, which she coolly slid home to put the Zephyr up 1-nil.
"It was surreal, an awesome feeling. We felt the crowd behind us from before the whistle to the final whistle. It was a great team build, we really played together and (the goal) was a very memorable moment for the organization and all of us," Ekić said.
Ekić immediately celebrated with her fellow teammates on the pitch before making a beeline to the touchline and jumping into the arms of her teammates on the bench.
"I was so hype! That's what we are about, we are one, like all of us even the girls who didn't dress today, the girls on the bench, the girls on the field, the people in the stands. We talk about it a lot, we are very together as a team and that is what that embodies," Ekić said.
In the 72nd minute, Addie McCain equalized for Fort Lauderdale on a shot that bounced off of the fingertips of goalkeeper Izzy Nino.
The Zephyr had the final chance of the game in the 84th minute as newcomer McKenzie Weinert danced on the outside of the box and hit a beautiful cross to the back post to former Gonzaga Bulldog Sophie Braun, who headed the ball into the side netting.
Despite not getting three points for tonight's effort, the Zephyr players and head coach Jo Johnson were pleased with tonight's performance.
"The atmosphere was absolutely incredible. Seeing all the young girls when we walked out was incredible, the fans screaming and cheering, I mean, I have played in a lot of places and that is pretty special. We are probably a bit disappointed because we probably wanted the three points, but it is good to just get that (match) under our belt and move on because it's done and it's onto the next one," Zephyr defender Sydney Cummings said.
"It's not just playing for a paycheck for us, it's playing to set the future of women's soccer for those youth players and taking it on to set a legacy for them and so they were inspired, we have all been inspired by somebody out on the field at one time to make us want to be involved in the game and we wanted to make sure they did that and honored that tonight. I thought they did, they left everything out there for us tonight," Johnson said.
The Zephyr will be back in action on September 8 against Brooklyn. Kick off is set for 6 pm at One Spokane Stadium.
