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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Laid-Back Ferris Earns 1-0 Victory, Appears To End Mead’s Title Reign Victory Pushes Saxons Nearer To Championship Of Their Own

For a team that had just made history, the Ferris Saxons were remarkably subdued.

Of course, there is more history to be made.

The Saxons beat Mead 1-0 in a Greater Spokane League boys soccer game Friday afternoon, the first time the Panthers have ever lost to Ferris.

The Saxons face a tough final week before they can claim their first league title, but with Mead’s second loss this week, the Panthers are in danger of not winning the league crown for the first time since the GSL started playing boys soccer in 1984.

“We were talking before the game that we could make history if we beat Mead for the first time,” said Ferris right halfback Pat Hull, who scored the goal. “We were really pumped up about it.”

Ferris will play host to University Monday, play at Central Valley Wednesday night and close with Lewis and Clark, which beat Mead 4-1 on Monday, on Saturday to cap an Albi Stadium quadrupleheader.

Ferris (5-0) has 15 points, three more than LC (4-2). The Saxons can clinch the title by winning both games before their matchup with the Tigers. Mead (3-2) is in a five-way tie for third with eight points. The top five teams make the District 8 playoffs with the champion guaranteed a spot in the state playoffs.

Mead has won all 13 GSL titles, sharing the first two with University.

Friday, Ferris struck in the first minute, when a corner kick deflected off a Mead defender to Hull, who had an easy shot from about 15 yards.

The host Saxons dominated the game on a slick field but missed several golden opportunities to put the game away.

“They’re the best team in the league,” Mead coach Craig Busch said. “They’re fast, they’re deep. They look like Mead a couple of years ago. Look how big they are. They have a lot of athletes.”

Mead’s best chance came early in the second half, but a shot hit the post and another Panther missed a wide-open net with the rebound.

Other than that, Ferris goalkeeper Tommy Servine faced just five shots and made two saves. Mead keeper Dave Szymarek, who had little chance on Hull’s goal, made five saves on 16 Ferris shots. His best save came late in the first half when he made a leaping grab of a curving blast off a direct kick by Abbas Faridnia.

Servine also was aggressive in goal, ranging out of the net to pluck several corner kicks and long throws out of the air.

“We have a smart defense,” Hull said. “They know when to clear it and Tommy knows when to come out. They started to lose their composure. We knew if we kept cool, we’d be all right.”

Mead picked up three yellow cards during the game.

“I think the biggest thing is when we step on the field, we play with a lot of composure and a lot of class,” Ferris coach Robin Crain said.

Ferris 1, Mead 0

First half-1, Fer, Hull, 1:00. Second half-None.

Shots on goal-Mead 5, Ferris 16. Saves-Mead, Szymarek 5. Ferris, Servine 2.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo