Coaches Agree, Teams Will Remain Strong Gsl Boys Soccer To Be Competitive

There is one consensus among coaches of North Side Greater Spokane League boys soccer teams.

The league which produced two teams among the state’s final eight last year - including North Central and eventual runner-up Ferris - will remain strong.

“Ferris is the obvious favorite. Everybody is back but three players,” said Shadle Park coach Stuart Saunders. “After that you’re probably looking at six or eight teams who could compete.”

Four of those come from the North Side. Mead, NC and Shadle ended with 5-3 records behind the unbeaten Saxons. Gonzaga Prep was one match further back.

NC was a Cinderella story last year, winning district and its first state contest before losing to Ferris in the second round.

Last year’s Mead coach, Craig Busch, is now heading the first-year program at Mt. Spokane High. Travis Hanson is his replacement at Mead.

Non-league competition begins Monday for GSL teams.

NC season tough act to follow

Second-year coach Tim Cox, despite having a half-dozen regulars return, said duplicating last year’s season will be difficult.

“I think last year we were picked to finish second from the bottom,” he said. “We managed to develop seniors into soccer players. Now we’re developing a young team.”

Cox will stress offense this year, moving second-team all-league Eric Johnson from midfield to forward. Last year’s starting defenders, sophomores Bobby Johnson and Dustin Alberry, will move to midfield or forward.

“Because of a different point system I have to change my plans,” said Cox. “Last year we strengthened the defense and goal keeper and played for overtime or a shootout.”

Also back from last year are juniors Tim O’Halloran, Owen Turnbull and Bryce Harrison on defense. Jeff Windham is at forward.

Newcomers are senior defenders Troy McLaughlin, and Brian Long and midfielder Justin Dale.

Juniors Jimmie Lo and Matt Stanton are on defense with Stanton as backup goal keeper.

Sophomores are midfielders Aaron Fielder, and Morgan Ball, forward Chris Guerts and keeper Brad Cushman.

Freshmen who will help are midfielder Filomon Afenegus and defender Jeff Clemens.

Mead seeks return to top

Mead’s run of 12 straight Greater Spokane League championships ended last year.

“I think that last year the boys were disappointed,” said new coach Hanson. “There was more talent than the record showed.”

Nine returning varsity players and a strong sophomore class could combine to produce another title challenge.

“I’m most definitely encouraged by what I’ve seen,” said Hanson.

Hanson coached Mead’s girls into the state finals last fall.

Seniors include veteran goal keeper Doug Lupton, defenders Tyler Denton, Shad Irmer, Rawley Doggett, Brian Beck, midfielders Brian Crane, and Sean Naylor and strikers Scott Kerwein, Ken McArthur, Todd Dolan and Mark Anderson.

Second-year varsity juniors Troy Ready in midfield and Todd Liptac on defense are joined by junior Jeremy Riccelli, and sophomores Matt Folsom and Elliott Fauske at midfield and Danny Dolan on defense.

Rounding out the team are junior midfielders Tim Shea, and Rob Loft, striker Casey Doggett, defender Randy Degenhart and keeper Josh Spartz.

Shadle must find scorers

A year ago the Highlanders had to manufacture a scorer from among its veterans and wound up with the league leader.

Although a dozen players are back this year, Saunders must do so again.

“We need to find someone to score goals,” he said. “In that sense we need to replace people.”

Could it be two-time all-GSL midfielder Zak Kingsley?

Or will points come from two-year starter Jason Meier, third-year varsity player Eric Anderson, a host of second-year varsity players or newcomers?

“We’ll have to experiment early in non-league games to see if we can fit someone in there,” said Saunders. “Hopefully we can do it again.”

Others back from last year are seniors Nathanial Bowie, Ross Anderson and junior Randy Johanson on defense, senior Chris Nussbaum, juniors Charlie Howlett, Donnie Schafer, Jake Person, Ty Pfundheller, midfielders, and keeper Brandon Kyle.

New are junior keeper Bryan Hanks, forwards Chris Dyerson and Jay Yedinak, and defenders Tony Brickner, a transfer from Mead, and freshman Joey Meier.

International look at Rogers

The Rogers soccer lineup will be diverse.

The Pirate roster is dotted with players of Asian and eastern European descent who have a soccer background.

“They do bring in a lot of experience to soccer,” said coach Chris Sande. “We should be able to compete in the middle of the league.”

Back for their senior year are defenders Josh Wells, Eric Rushing and Harley Highfill, and midfielders Ruben Villarreal, Dennis Campbell and Matt Allen.

Juniors are William Vue and Dragisa Susniar.

Sophomore goal keeper Shea Haynes is a Moses Lake transfer, joining returning midfielder-forward Ahmed El Giadi, defender Carl Bucknell and forward Kyle Bretz.

Freshmen forward-midfield hopefuls are Vasily Pivovarevich, Than Chau, Sergey Getman and Ismael Vernell.

Youthful Mt. Spokane tests league

Like its counterparts in other sports, the Wildcat boys soccer team is without seniors.

Only two players, junior midfielder Jeff Paulus and sophomore forward Bobby LaBelle, had junior varsity playing time last year at Mead.

“There is good young talent there,” said Busch of his turnout, “but we’re a couple of years away.”

Mt. Spokane’s lineup features four juniors, Mike Oliver, Lukas Rydberg, Jordan Taylor and Paulus, all midfielders.

Sophomores are defenders Matt Chitwood, Landon Crecelius, Colin McGlocklin, and Chris Snyder on defense, Zak Clausen, Paul Smart at midfield and LaBelle.

Freshmen are Tyler Hartanov, a defender-midfielder, Sean Scoggin at midfield, Matt Trainor on defense and Kyle Vessey in goal.

“So far the attitude and work ethic is great,” said Busch. “I’m guardedly optimistic.”

Experienced Prep back in hunt

All but two players from a team that finished one game away from the playoffs have returned to the Bullpup lineup this year.

“Last year six teams could have all finished second. Every game was close,” said coach Christian Birrer. “This year we have the experience we need to win those close games.”

Replacing graduated keeper Ryan Wittstruck is the major task, although senior Curran Cosgrove looks promising.

He is one of eight Bullpup seniors, including fourth-year players and all-leaguers Jeff Dixson on defense, Nick Byrd in midfield and third-year all-league defender Spencer Leonard.

Midfielder Mike Edmonds and defender Rob Stewart are also third-year varsity players and defenders Eric Allen and Dusty Bettesworth are back for a second season.

“Our strength is a veteran defensive core,” said Birrer.

Returning juniors are defenders Mike Butler, Eric Byrd, forward Pat Webinger, and midfielders Brad Little and Mik Baltins.

Also back is sophomore forward Nick Ascolese.

Newcomers include junior midfielders Brandon Janosky and Tony Hertel, defender Derrick Fasuett and sophomore forward Prescott Smith.

“This year we are coming in with three or four solid forwards and should be greatly improved (on offense),” said Birrer.

, DataTimes