Ferris Favored To Capture League Title
It’s early in the season, but coaches already are predicting that this year’s Greater Spokane League girls soccer title is headed for the Ferris trophy case.
“I don’t see how they could finish any worse than first place,” said Lewis and Clark coach Ardi Khoei.
Ferris finished third in the GSL last year but powered up in time to win the district championship.
Earlier this year in a non-league match, University slipped past Ferris 3-2, so the title is not by any means sewed up.
“It’s anybody’s game,” cautioned Saxon coach Robin Crain. “We only play each team once.”
All eyes on Ferris
Everyone’s eyes are on the much-lauded Saxons, a team that boasts strength, height and a solid defense.
Yet, said second-year coach Crain, the way Ferris can come out on top of the competition is for team members to play together as a unit.
“I think if that happens, we’ll be successful,” he said. “My goals personally never change from year to year.
“My goals are for the kids to develop as much as they can, for them to enjoy themselves and have fun, and at the same time to achieve their highest potential.”
The Saxons have a long list of returnees. All of last year’s defenders, seniors Vicki Froehlich and Karie Pruett and juniors Angela Faridnia and Mollie Gardner are on the field this season.
Ferris also returns senior forward Megan Cummings, who has been the team’s leading scorer. Other returning players include seniors Jenny Lytle, a midfielder and possible goalkeeper, forward Mariah McConnaughey, and midfielders Melissa Bird and Christine Rehwald, junior goalkeeper Jessica Froehlich, midfielder Julie Cummings, and sophomore forward Courtney Knox.
“In midfield, we really do well when Christine distributes the ball,” Crain said. “Our attack is really tough when that happens, and we also look to Megan and Mariah for scoring.”
Adding to their depth, the Saxons have picked up several new varsity team members this season. They include seniors Hitomi Hara and Amber Frederickson, junior Cassie Garner, sophomores Shannon Driscoll, Bekah Hemingway and Kate Parks, and freshmen Abbie Socha, Rachel Lassman and Courtney Lynn.
Injuries already have been a problem, but Crain said they are minor, and he anticipates that most of the players will heal quickly.
Young Tigers seek potential
LC’s Khoei hopes to bring a young team to its fullest potential this season.
The Tigers graduated six starters last year, leaving Khoei to classify this year’s team as “young but eager.”
Further diminishing the Tigers’ ranks is the injury of goalkeeper Janelle Wendel, who may be out for the season.
Sophomores Milly Gill and Molly O’Brien and freshman Therese Crisp are possible replacements.
“We’re really struggling to replace her in the goal,” Khoei said of Wendel.
He added that besides filling the positions that were vacated, the team’s main task will be to get its defense organized.
“We want to be willing to adjust to any scenario that’s given to us,” Khoei said.
Several seniors are helping ease the team’s transition, including marking back Shelby Grabicki and midfielders Jill Ewell, Jessica Dinneen and Katy Sheehan. The Tigers are hoping senior halfback Meghan Maurus, who suffered an ankle injury, will be able to rejoin the team.
“If she does play, it would give us a whole new angle in midfield,” Khoei said.
This year’s juniors are marking back Chelsea Hendrickson, halfback Gina Auffant, defender Erin Quigly, and midfielders Sarah Parker and Anne Floyd.
A potentially dominant player, said Khoei, is sophomore Megan Mackenzie, who takes the place of all-GSL first-team selection Jessica Fransen, now a soccer player at Washington State University.
“We’re looking to Megan for a lot of our goals,” Khoei said.
Other sophomores include midfielder Jeanine McNalley and forward Carly Sanchez.
Freshman Sarah Bot will play defense for the Tigers.