Seniors Ease Coach’s Initial Season As Their Leader

Mead soccer coach Travis Hanson could empathize with Stacey Drollinger when he moved her from attacker to defender.

When he played for the Panthers for three years between 1988 and 1990 he had been switched from center-midfield to stopper to goalkeeper.

“Stacey’s greatest frustration was not all that different from mine,” he said. “I had scored 15 goals as a junior and was a keeper as a senior. Sometimes you realize in the end it’s worth it.”

Last week was worthwhile for Hanson and his wife, Kelly.

The first-year Panther coach watched Saturday as his team secured a berth in Friday’s State 4A soccer semifinals in Federal Way.

On Monday morning, Kelly gave birth to a baby girl.

A future soccer player perhaps?

“Maybe a kicker,” said Hanson, who for four years was himself the University of Washington football team’s placekicker.

The Huskies loss to UCLA last Saturday, knocking them from Rose Bowl contention, was the only stain on an otherwise perfect week.

Looking at the season in retrospect, Hanson said he knew that seven seniors would ease his initial season as coach.

“I couldn’t imagine a better group to start with,” he said. “They taught me a lot.”

All seven, Drollinger, forwards Natalie Kehl, Jenny Frazier, midfielder Danielle Zelinski, defenders Jaci Pelton, Jayme Mottram, and goalkeeper Alli Bailey all started and contributed to the team’s current 19-1 record.

“I expected that, and they provided that,” he said.

Losing in district was disappointing but not surprising since the league champs sat for 12 days while the Saxons worked their way through three playoff games.

All ended well with Saturday’s victory over Ferris in a state rematch to reach the tourney semifinals.

“I’m reaping the benefits of what Dick Cullen has built,” said Hanson, referring to Mead’s former coach and current activities administrator. “As a coach I’ll only get better.”

, DataTimes