Gsl Soccer Starts Year With Three New Coaches

Three new coaches will lead North Side teams into next week’s Greater Spokane League girls soccer season. Two of them coached boys teams last spring, the third is no stranger to his team.

Tim Cox, whose stunning North Central soccer debut included a second-round boys state playoff appearance and who is chess club adviser, has accepted the girls coaching post.

“I’m in-building, have a continuing contract, had a successful boys season, and I impacted a lot of kids,” he said of the decision.

Craig Busch last spring replaced new activities coordinator Dick Cullen as interim Mead boys coach. Busch is now teaching at Mt. Spokane and coaching the new soccer programs.

“Dick planned to stay at Mead so I decided ‘I’ll jump,”’ he explained. “When (activities coordinator) John Miller jumped, too, Dick threw his name into the hat at Mead. I couldn’t get back.”

Assistant coach Travis Hanson is Mead’s new varsity mentor. Hanson played soccer for Cullen and was a place kicker for the University of Washington football team.

Christian Birrir at Gonzaga, Kevin Trim at Shadle Park and Chris Sande at Rogers return to their teams.

New coach, veteran team

Having played for and coached with Cullen, Hanson considers his appointment as a way to continue Mead’s tradition.

“I think what it comes down to is I consider Dick my mentor,” said two-year assistant Hanson. “We’re pretty much going to stay with his style.”

The Panthers have won 11 straight GSL girls soccer championships. Ten players return from last year’s unbeaten team.

They are all-GSL defender Stacey Drollinger, midfielder Danielle Zelinski, striker Natalie Kehl and junior defender Morgan Bennett.

Other veterans are seniors, keeper Ali Bailey, striker Jenny Frazier, defender Jayme Mottram and Jaci Pelton, in midfield after a year’s absence.

Junior vets are Megan Cooney, midfielder Courtney Taylor and striker Lindsay Drollinger.

Newcomer juniors Juli Miller, Carolyn Moore, Katie Sebring, sophomores Ashli Anderson, freshmen Janie Strait, Holly Ready and Angie Shea round out the team.

Depth only Gonzaga concern

Many of last year’s players have graduated, but four all-league players return for the Bullpups.

“We took a bigger hit than others,” said Birrir. “We might be hurting for numbers, but as long as there are no injuries, we’ll be solid.”

Junior Shaynie Leonard, an all-league defender, will play goal keeper or forward this year.

“She can play anywhere,” said Birrir.

Danielle Mirabell, all-league at midfield, also could play forward.

Second-team all stars are Michele Caputo at midfield and Allison Roberts, a junior defender.

They’re joined by varsity veterans Bridgett Herrell, midfield, Megan Smalley, Amber Godell, junior Rene Umbdenstock on defense and junior Tara Hertell, midfield.

Newcomers are senior Haley Cooper and Alicia Smith, midfielders, juniors Anna Carroll on defense and Deirdre Leonard at forward.

Deirdre is Shaynie’s twin sister and the two could be paired up front.

Two freshmen, Laura Oliva at midfield and Lauren Umbdenstock at forward round out the roster.

Shadle a veteran team

The Highlanders are considered one of the teams in the hunt for a league playoff.

Coach Kevin Trim was unavailable for this preview, but several players off that team were scheduled to be back from last year’s break-even team.

Included are senior goalie Tara Buckley and defender Becky Wells.

Junior veterans are forwards Jamie Winchell and Kirsten Hawley, defender Lisa Moen, midfielders Jennifer Rudder, Rachel Hayes, Shelli Giesa and sophomore Lisa Hanson.

North Central team is young

With only six returning players from last year’s eighth-place finisher, Cox is relying on freshmen to fill in.

Back are multi-purpose athletes, seniors Leah Turner, Stephanie Scott, juniors Amanda Chase, Melissa Estrada, Kristin Walters and goal keeper Jennifer Weber.

“At this point she’s not the goal keeper,” said Cox, who is searching for one. “We’re really revamping the lineup and going to try new things.”

New players include freshmen Carly Clark, Tia Teunen, Emily Strow, Molly Turner, Lindsey Snider and Kerrie Harrison.

Also on the team are junior Sember Glenn and sophomore Kati Newland, a pair of defenders.

“I think we’re definitely building,” said Cox. “I would say we may surprise some teams because last year this team really struggled.”

Pirate numbers on the rise

Nine Rogers regulars are back among a turnout of more than 30 players.

“We’re trying to get a C squad,” said Sande. “We don’t have a lot of feeder programs and are trying to establish experience.”

Seniors are forward Shelly Zahrowski, sweeper Leanne Johnston and midfielder Kelly Jochee, joined by first-time varsity defender Tara Bertholf.

Junior veterans include twins Kara and Kristi Hines at forward and midfield, midfielders Allegra Selvaggio, Sandra Kanan, Tiffany Brus, defender Trisha Cumpton and goalie Amber Johnson.

Sophomore Holly Rushing returns at sweeper. New sophomores are Mary Karsen and Connie Barton at midfield.

Freshman Michelle Bourcey shows promise.

“We’re bringing in a lot of freshmen who played for our club team and are a lot stronger than in the past,” said Sande.

He’s hoping Johnson is the answer to replacing graduated all-league keeper Angie Vulcano.

New experience for Wildcat coach

Longtime Mead assistant coach Busch is experiencing something new at the district’s new high school.

Busch will be teaching basics more than has been the custom.

“We lost seven games in 10 years with Mead’s girls JV” he said. “There are no pre-conceived notions here. People know the growing pains we’re going to go through.”

Many of the Wildcats’ first candidates have little soccer experience and must blend in with those who do.

He’ll build around players from his JV program at Mead, junior midfielders Summer Gibbs and Ashley Anderson and promising sophomore striker Cassie Kitchen.

Prospects are junior Christina Holt and Amy Dunham. Sophomores include Shawna Powell, Char McGee, Jen Louck, Elina Gee, Cassie DeFreeze, Jill Brichman, Chelsea Heuter and Amanda Schafer.

Freshmen varsity candidates are Landis Welbourn, Laurel Jones, Sarah Stamatoplos, Sarah Holt and Tracy Cathney.

“The teaching challenge is working with a bunch who know each other and a bunch new to soccer,” said Busch. “We’ll be doing an awful lot of fundamental and large group work.”

, DataTimes