GSL Preview Soccer

Forwards

There’s plenty of returning firepower up front. … Central Valley’s All-GSL standout Jay Vela (19 goals overall) is the highest returning scorer as part of a one-two Bears punch with Josh Antles. … Taylor Yonago and Eric Hauck must increase their production at Ferris. … Junior Cole Abramson led co-champion EV in scoring. … Ian Matson topped scorers at young Mead, which nearly produced a state trip. … Others to watch – West Valley’s Neil Bachman (11 goals) for a 3-10 team, and Cheney’s Mitch Weller.

Midfielders

East Valley’s All-GSL Ben Funkhouser, who played for the Spokane Shadow and was selected for a national junior team pool, is perhaps the GSL’s best player. … Talk last year was that University All-GSL Keith Realing was moving to the Coast for his senior season. He’s back. … Among others to watch – Mt. Spokane’s Morgan Hartanov, North Central’s Ryan Matern and Gonzaga Prep’s Matt Wakeley. … Lewis and Clark has lost co-scoring leader Stefan Andersson with a broken leg.

Defenders/Goalkeepers

These players are the sport’s lifeline. Shadle Park’s All-GSL defender Kyle Wirtz will be even more vital to the Highlanders this year. … Others to watch – Joe Hatcher of Ferris; Tyler Fyhrie and Lucas Chesher, CV: Josh Polello, EV; and Caleb Johnson, Cheney. … There are a number of top keepers, including EV’s All-GSL goalie Josh Peck, CV’s Ryan Skay, Mead’s Jason Gass, Ferris’ D.J. Bray and Cheney’s Josh Hooley.

Experience

There is plenty of it, making the GSL as competitive and unpredictable as last year. Any of five can win, including Cheney, where all but one player returned. … Hardest hit by graduation is Mt. Spokane, which lost 13, including defensive MVP goalie Jeff Srock, one of three departed All-GSL seniors. Shadle Park is sans last year’s league scoring leader and offensive MVP, Andy Largent.

Questions

Who will advance in 3A?

Who’s to say, but at least there are three state berths and both Cheney and EV are experienced. The Knights must fill four defensive holes because of graduation.

Who will get the bounces?

Places last year were determined by fortuitous bounces and shootouts (six). It will likely happen again. Plus, co-champ EV, said coach of the year Jeff Rose, won’t sneak up like last year. “I can’t even tell where people will finish,” Ferris coach Robin Crain said. “It’s interchangeable, to tell the truth.”

Can CV at repeat at state?

Getting out of district will be a chore, but the Bears can, depending upon how defensive newcomers produce, and if they aren’t bitten by a state allotment reduced to three teams.

Which are the sleeper teams?

Mead and Cheney. Both were extremely young last year, and Mead also nearly made it to state. It beat Ferris (by shootout for the second straight year) in the league opener. … CV made the 4A state quarterfinals. … Cheney had only one senior on last year’s roster.

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Mike Vlahovich