Returning Players Keep Gsl Soccer Teams Even

This is the last chance Greater Spokane League soccer teams have to end the Mead dynasty as it exists.

After this season there will be no single Mead High team. Next year, Mead will be split, with the new Mount Spokane High joining the league.

It is also the last year for veteran coach Dick Cullen, the architect of the dynasty. He will leave the sidelines to become Mead’s athletic director.

“We don’t want it to be emotional,” said Cullen. “We want everybody to give what they’ve got. You’ve got to be thinking about the present.”

Mead has tradition on its side. The Panthers have won 10 straight GSL titles, have a 4-1/2-year league winning streak and a third-place finish at state last fall.

But the list of challengers is long. More than half of both the first and second team all-GSL players return.

“This year is going to be one of the most even GSL leagues since I’ve been there,” Gonzaga Prep coach Christian Birrer said. “Every team has one superstar, if not two. I don’t see an easy game on the schedule.”

Like the boys last spring, GSL teams play each other once instead of twice in league counters. They will play four league foes in non-league games and can add up to four games against outside opponents.

“The single round is good and bad,” Cullen said. “It’s good because you get practice games, bad because you have to perform in (every) league game.”

Added Shadle Park coach Kevin Trim, “For my situation it’s going to help because I’m getting more time to do some teaching and coaching. With the matches we had (in the past) there was never enough time to get prepared.”

Panthers preaching patience

Patience, said Cullen, is the key to Mead’s season.

Cullen spent Labor Day Weekend at the Air Force Academy, where his youngest son, Rich, a freshman, may start for the Falcons and his oldest son, Chris, has returned as an assistant coach for the women’s soccer team.

Missing the practice time at Mead, combined with the fact more than 50 girls turned out, has put the team behind.

“We’re just going to be real slow getting started,” he said. “(Everything) is going to change the way we evaluate.” As usual, the Panthers have a strong nucleus of veterans. Sixteen letter winners return.

Three seniors suited up when Mead won a state title their freshman year. Included are forward Kelly Leaf, midfielder Katrina Morton and defender Missy Strasberg. Strasberg was on the All-GSL first team last year. Leaf, Morton and senior defender Erin Moore were on the second team.

Other letter winners are forwards Michelle Bussiere, a senior, and junior Natalie Kehl; senior midfielders Elizabeth Domitor and Nikki Anderson and juniors Danielle Zelinski, Stacey Drollinger and Jaci Pelton; senior defenders Erin Helms and Cary Frazier and sophomore Morgan Bennett; and senior keeper Gina Hopoi.

“We should be fairly solid all the way around,” Cullen said. “They’ve been in a lot of big games. The seniors have to step up and get it done and I’m seeing overtures of that.”

Bullpups could be big dogs

Gonzaga Prep lost five good players, including standout goalie Angela Harrison, who went to soccer power University of Portland, but the Bullpups should still be strong.

“The team needs to realize that even though we lost a lot of really good players, we have a lot of good experience going for us,” Birrer said.

Vying to replace Harrison are position players, junior Katey Daquisto, sophomore Shaynie Leonard and senior newcomer Ann McClain.

“It’s a pretty good battle right now.” said Birrir. “Angela was half the reason we did so well last year.”

Heading the list of returning players is senior forward Dani Thorn, who is coming off a knee injury.

Players who guided the Bullpups into second place include seniors Caryn Nadeau at forward and midfielders Lisa Bradley, Alli Powers and Marisa Jenkins.

Veteran juniors are forward Danielle Mirabel, midfielder Bridgett Herrell and defenders Michele Caputo, Megan Smalley and Amber Goodell.

Sophomore letter winner is defender Rene Umbdenstock.

Other newcomers are sophomores Allison Roberts, midfield, and Tara Hertel, defender.

Highlanders protecting secrets

Shadle Park coach Trim is playing secret agent man.

“I don’t want to give anything away,” he said. “I don’t know what their strengths are right now, I’m still putting the puzzle together.”

The Highlanders have a veteran squad with 12 letter winners.

Seniors are midfielders Jenn Baechler, Carolyn Nelson, Erica Hall and Emilee Steckler, sweeper Erin Rice and defender Vanessa Hanks.

Juniors are keeper Tara Buckley and defender Becky Wells.

Sophomores with a year of varsity experience are forwards Jamie Winchell and Kirsten Hawley, defender Lisa Moen and midfielder Jennifer Rudder.

Rounding out the varsity are midfielders, sophomores Rachel Hayes and Shelli Giesa and freshman Lisa Hanson.

Confidence is key for Rogers

“I think we need to build up our confidence early in the season,” Pirates coach Chris Sande said. “With the schedule like it is, giving teams some openings to go outside the GSL, we’re hoping to get a couple wins under our belts.”

The Pirates play Eisenhower, Medical Lake and North Central in their three non-scheduled games.

Returning players include seniors Angie Vulcano, keeper, Karyl Sands, midfielder and Anna Mullerleile, defender; juniors Shelly Zahrowski, forward; Leanne Johnston, sweeper and Lauren Berry midfielder; plus sophomore forward Kara Hines.

Joining the varsity are Hines’ twin Kristi, also a forward, sophomore midfielders Sandra Kanan and Tiffany Brus; sophomore defender Trisha Cumpton and freshman midfielder Holly Rushing.

“Our keepers and our defense are pretty experienced,” Sande said. “We’ve got some young, fresh blood coming in to help us generate some offense.”

New ingredients bolster Indians

Former Cheney girls coach Mark Kiver and a large number of returning letter winners have North Central’s soccer team headed in the right direction.

“We have 11 people returning and we have a senior corps,” Kiver said. “(That’s) one thing we haven’t had in the past couple of years. Hopefully we can take that and grow.”

Returning midfielders are senior Cheri Bibb, junior Leah Turner and sophomores Amanda Chase, Melissa Estrada and Kristin Walters.

At forward are senior Erin Meier and sophomore Sarah Parrish. On defense are seniors Shannon Whiteman, Kim Dayot and junior Stephanie Scott.

That means Kiver only needed to fill in with a couple newcomers. Two are senior midfielders Simone Hayes and Sabina Wynne. The other is freshman keeper Jennifer Weber.

“Jennifer could play anywhere on the field,” Kiver said. “She does a good job on defense but also does a good job in goal. We’re going to try her out there and throw her into the mix right away.”

, DataTimes