GSL, GNL, NEA boys soccer previews

Greater Spokane League

With seven returning starters, Lewis and Clark should be favored, but the Tigers face an immediate challenge from Central Valley. In fact, the teams meet on Friday under the lights at CV.

The Bears (13-3 last year) return eight starters, including all-league second-teamers Gabe Grabowski on defense and J.D. Hauenstein in midfield.

CV is a perennial contender in the GSL, finishing third last year and reaching state. There’s no reason to think coach Andres Monrroy (76-24 in eight years) can’t do it again.

Andrew Enzler is back in goal, supported by defenders Cobi Gibson and Braden Corigliano. In the midfield, Chase Reidt and Nathan Grinalds will feed Brian Choate and Hauenstein, who moves to forward this year.

Ferris almost ran the table last year, winning the GSL and District titles before falling to Snohomish in the State 4A title game. Coach Robin Crain loses several key players, but should retain a strong attack with the return of all-GSL forwards Terry Cox and Eric Hollenbaugh. Alex Pells is back in goal.

“We are fairly young with the majority of players lacking varsity experience,” said Crain, who added that the team could be good “if pieces fall into place and we avoid injuries.”

Mead finished 5-4 in the GSL last year with a young team, but coach Kevin Houston said the experience will pay dividends this year. “We’re looking to be competitive and be in position to play in the playoffs,” said Houston, who said that four-year varsity player Alex Ewert “will be the key to our defense” along with Koby Wilburn. Other key players are juniors Dominic Welch, Michael McLeod and Hayden Del Pizzo, who’ve played varsity since they were freshmen.

No one lost more heavily to graduation than defending GSL champ Mt. Spokane, which has just two returning starters. However, last year’s Coach of the Year, Ryan Campanella, can count on one of the best midfielders in the region in all-GSL first-team choice Tyler Smith. The Wildcats finished 11-3-1 last season.

“We are a younger team this year with less varsity experience compared to our last two seasons,” Campanella said, adding that “We look to be competitive in the GSL and give ourselves a good chance for postseason.”

University also looks to bounce back this year, returning seven starters from last year’s 4-10 squad. “We should surprise some historically strong programs,” said coach Scott Kerwien, who added that the Titans “continue to be young” as they move from 3A competition to 4A.

At Gonzaga Prep, coach Matt Kinder returns seven starters from a young team that went 4-8-1 last year. “We got significant playing experience last year,” Kinder said. Goalkeeper Anson Milsap was all-league last year, but may miss several weeks with an injury.

Great Northern League

Last season ended on a down note for 2013 State 2A champion Cheney, which took an early exit from the postseason in a first-round state loss to Othello. This year, the Blackhawks face a new challenge in replacing several all-league performers, but already are 2-0 in league after a big win over Pullman last week.

The most decorated returnee is sophomore center back Cruz Galm, an all-GNL first-team pick last year on the stingiest defense in the league.

Coach Mark Kiver returns four starters, including “a good core of seniors that have been around the game for a while,” but added that “over half our players have very little or no varsity playing experience.”

With quality at both ends of the field, Pullman could challenge for the league title. Junior forward Mason Petrino, the son of Idaho football coach Bobby Petrino, was an all-league selection along with defender Micah Lagerquist. The Greyhounds also return a second-team all-GNL forward in Matt Winchell. Senior Rob Clark will bolster the Pullman defense

East Valley loses defensive MVP Adam Bromley, but returns all-league first-team midfielder James Russell.

At West Valley, Tristin Payne was a first-team all-GNL pick as a sophomore and Maximilian Goldsmith was a second-teamer at midfield.

All-league first-teamer Bryton Lejameyer returns in goal at Clarkston.

Northeast A

Defending league champ Lakeside will be a heavy favorite, returning all-leaguer first-team selection Jeff Thompson, Jacob Collins and Kelly Kyllo from a team that went 8-1 in league and 14-3 overall. Medical Lake returns league MVP Dallas White, while Newport will rely on Mathew Solis.

Jim Allen