Bound to be a tangle

A year ago, five Greater Spokane League soccer teams finished between 9-1 and 7-3 in league and seven of 11 finished with break-even records.

A glance at last year’s all-league team is also telling. Thirteen of 15 first-team selections were seniors and a number of other seniors were picked to the second team.

With so many graduates contributing to last year’s taut finish, it prompted Lewis and Clark coach Casey Curtis to offer this observation about the uncertainty of the 2008 season.

“We lost twice last year and finished third,” he said. “I think a three-loss team could win the championship for the first time.”

It’s not that the talent in the league – which began last week with three overtime decisions in five matches – is necessarily watered down. Curtis said there is college talent out there. It’s just that the wealth is spread out among several teams and could produce more unpredictable results.

The team that best fills its starting positions will be the one that prevails, said Ferris coach Robin Crain. There are several teams like that, including his Saxons.

“We have really good chemistry and I think that’s critical for doing well,” said Crain. “Most teams have five or six players and have to hide maybe three or four. We have 11 who can flat-out play.”

One is James Matern, a talented junior who missed nearly all of last season with a patellar tendon injury when Ferris finished 7-3 and settled for fifth place, but just four points out of the lead.

“He would have been a difference- maker for us last year,” said Crain.

For that reason alone, Ferris is among this year’s favorites. But like the Saxons, Central Valley – which returns 13 players for new coach Andres Monrroy – and Mead, though young, appear to have all their positional bases covered.

Mead’s Panthers have five freshmen on their roster, including Zach Hamer, who joins his brothers, senior Jason and sophomore Nick.

“Losing 13 seniors and finding replacements for six All-GSL selections who have graduated will be difficult,” said Mead coach Matt Stueckle. “If I were to look into my magic 8-ball I think I would get the: ‘Looks cloudy, ask again later’ answer.”

LC’s Tigers have a cerebral set of players on defense – including All-GSL Casey Ames – and bench depth, if not many returning veterans.

“We opened with (defending state champion) Pasco and beat them 3-1,” said Curtis. “I don’t see a reason why we couldn’t be GSL champ, but I’m not so confident that we couldn’t finish fifth.”

University, which was last year’s league runner-up before winning the district championship and qualifying for state, is strong in goal and has two gifted attackers.

“We had some young players last year that got some quality time,” said U-Hi coach Kevin Houston. “I hope to have them play a major role this season.”

All are considered best bets to supplant three-time league champion East Valley at the top.

“We’re rebuilding,” said Knights coach Jeff Rose. “They’re coming along, but it’s going to be challenging for us. We’re going to take our lumps this year.”

He said his charge is not so much chasing a fourth league title, but to become the top-seeded 3A playoff team from league. To do that, the Knights must get past Mt. Spokane and 11 returning Wildcats, including prolific goal scorer Nick Reilly.

The 4A schools, meanwhile, will negotiate a league potentially fraught with suspense in order to reach the postseason.

“I think there will be some surprises,” Curtis said. “But as the season shakes out, the cream always rises.”