Panthers Beat Titans Under The Lights Sub Coach Earns First Win In Physical Gsl Soccer Game

Travis Hanson got his first win as a varsity soccer coach.

Contrary to the split opinion, it did not come by knockout.

In a very physical Greater Spokane League game under the lights at Mead Junior High Monday night, the Panthers knocked off University 4-2.

Hanson, a former Mead player and current assistant, was filling in for head coach Dick Cullen, who was home sick. In fact, the whole Cullen family was ill, which kept Rich Cullen, a senior and starting goalkeeper, out of the lineup.

“We came out real flat,” Hanson said. “I think a lot of it was a combination of guys being sick and guys adjusting to a new situation, a different person giving the pregame talk and playing assignments.”

Both sides did a lot of complaining at the referee, between exchanging trash talk, taunts and hard hits.

With the score 1-1 late in the first half, a header battle started at midfield with players pushing and bumping. Eventually, there was a deliberate shove in the back and a retaliatory swing and both teams congregating at midfield. Peacemakers out-numbered combatants and the game continued with incident.

“It was a very physical game and I think my players took it to heart instead of sucking it up and playing,” U-Hi coach Brandon Deyarmin said. “When things get rough, get heated up, that’s when the best composed team is ging to walk away with the win.”

The Titans (6-4, 3-2) had taken a 1-0 lead when John Melcher tapped the ball in after it was chipped over Mead keeper Aaron Walkup’s head. Mark Lupton tied it for the Panthers (10-1, 5-0) at the 30 minute mark with a bullet from 25 yards out after a centering pass from J.J. Klaus.

“We controlled probably the first 30 minutes then our momentum just went boom, dropped down,” Deyarmin said.

Hanson also noticed the difference.

“I think what turned it around was their first goal, U-Hi came to play,” he said. “Then when we scored that provided a real spark, that’s when I saw the biggest surge.”

Ben Brodsky put Mead up a minute into the second half but Ryan Massey countered with a penalty kick for the Titans 4 minutes later. Mead got the winner when Brandon Carlson scored off a corner kick and Nick Hebb added some insurance off a throw in the next 10 minutes to give Mead the win.

At Gonzaga Prep, Nick Byrd headed in a Jed Druffel pass as the 75-minute mark as the Bullpups (9-3, 3-2) earned their first league win in regulation by beating the Tigers (4-6, 3-2).

LC had several opportunities to score in the second half, but couldn’t get the ball in the net.

At Rogers, Nick Bozo had a hat trick and Wayne Froelich added a goal and two assists as the Saxons (4-5, 2-3) kept the Pirates (0-14, 0-6) winless.

Paul Johnson scored two goals and assisted on three others as North Central rolled past visiting CV.

Colin Turnbull also scored a pair of goals for the Indians (8-4, 4-2). Pat Flanigan scored for CV (3-9, 1-5).

, DataTimes