Preview Prep soccer
Greater Spokane League
It won’t take long to find the front-runner in this year’s Greater Spokane League girls soccer race.
Central Valley and Mt. Spokane, the top two preseason picks, will get right to business on opening night Wednesday at CV. The loser gets to regroup, while the winner will have a target on its back the rest of the season.
For now, that’s CV, which is unbeaten in the preseason and looking to repeat as 4A league, district and state champions.
“We all just are so close and connected with each other,” senior midfielder Megan Dimmler said. “And the seniors are talking and giving the other players feedback as to what they need to do.”
At Mt. Spokane, coach Ryan Campanella returns 12 letter winners from last year’s team, which caught fire in the postseason and reached the quarterfinals of the State 3A playoffs. The Wildcats return forward Maddy Boyd, who figures to be the focal point of the offense along with sophomore Kaylee Speer. The new goalkeeper is junior Megan Wilson.
“We have great team chemistry, and this roster is one of the more talented from top to bottom that I’ve had the opportunity to coach,” Campanella said.
Mead returns just three starters from last year’s state semifinalist team – keeper Ashlyn Juul, defender Holly Anderson and forward Alex Chambers. “We have to replace 12 seniors with a lot of younger players, but very competitive players,” coach Kevin Houston said.
With nine returning starters and 16 letter winners, Ferris could be poised for a breakout season; indeed, the Saxons are 4-0 this season after going 8-8 last year.
“Strong leadership should help us down the stretch,” said second-year coach Ron Evans, who will be counting on defender Maegan O’Neill, a first-team All-GSL pick last year.
At Lewis and Clark, coach Katie Himmerich likes the Tigers’ chances of finishing in the top three in the GSL, based on six returning starters. All-GSL performer Jacqueline Hamby will anchor the Tigers midfield.
“We have some great newcomers we think will add a new dynamic to our team,” Himmerich said.
University’s third-place GSL finish earned Megan Poulson Coach of the Year honors last year, and with nine returning starters, there’s no reason to think the Titans can’t do it again.
“We’re a very bonded team,” said Poulson, who returns three all-leaguers in midfielders Morgan Crosby and Rylee Rassier, and defender Sydney Weiler.
At North North Central, coach Matt Leonard returns 10 starters to a “strong grouop that has good history and team chemistry.”
New Gonzaga Prep coach Billy Barmes finds four returning starters from a team that went 5-4 last year in GSL play.
Great Northern League
Last year’s GNL race was as exciting as it gets, with West Valley and East Valley sharing the regular-season title with 10-2 records and Clarkston just a game behind.
Expect more of the same this season: EV returns 10 starters, while the Eagles already own a 5-2 win over 4A side Gonzaga Prep and a 2-1 verdict over the Knights last week.
“We’re hoping for a first-place finish, but you never know,” WV coach Shelli Totton said. “Our league is pretty tight.”
The GNL figures to get even tighter after Medical Lake and Deer Park dropped down to the 1A ranks, with West Valley a slight favorite despite the loss of GNL defensive MVP Davien Engeberg with an ACL injury. The Eagles look especially strong at striker with Jenna Sullens, a first-team all-star last year as a sophomore, and Morgan Williams.
East Valley is tough at the back, with Kari Bromley returning in goal after a stellar freshman season, and first-team All-GNL defender Taylor Morscheck and midfielder Skylar Bastin back. Forward Chelsea Love is coming off an all-star season as a sophomore forward.
Clarkston could make a run behind forward Brooke Morrow and keeper Mychael Tenwick, both first-team All-GNL last year.
Northeast A
Defending champion Lakeside (8-0 last year for the second straight season) will face a tougher challenge as Colville and Deer Park drop down from the 2A ranks. The Eagles also lose two-time NEA Offensive MVP Ashley Cook-Cox, but return a trio of all-league performers in midfielders Kelsey Jones and Callie Best, plus defender Hailey Lesser.
Last year’s runner-up, Newport, should offer the toughest challengs, thanks to the return of All-NEA defenders Jolie Frederick and Kennedy Kindred and midfielder Emily Lewis. Deer Park is counting on senior forward Ashtin Martinson for a high finish.
B Boys
St. George’s has lost just four matches in the past two seasons, finishing second and third in state in the process. … Once again, Northwest Christian should offer the toughest challenge, although the Crusaders opened 0-3 with losses to larger schools.