Mead girls soccer favored in Greater Spokane League in expected tight race
If the Mead girls finish atop the Greater Spokane League soccer standings this year, the journey began last fall on a muddy field at Central Valley.
Heavy underdogs in their District 8 4A title match, the Panthers slogged past the Bears to take a 2-0 win and an unlikely spot in regionals.
CV got its revenge a week later, denying the Panthers a berth at state, but Mead ended the season with a mental jump-start for 2015.
“That was great experience, and that brings us a lot of confidence,” senior midfielder Katie Crowley said. “We think we have a great team, with a lot of talent.”
So do the GSL coaches, who narrowly favor the Panthers in what’s expected to be a wide-open league race. CV, Mt. Spokane, Gonzaga Prep and Lewis and Clark also figure to be in the mix, but Mead gets the edge based on its past success and eight returning starters.
“I like the competitiveness that the girls are showing,” said coach Kevin Houston, the longtime boys coach who took over the Mead girls program three years ago.
“The girls are playing with a lot more confidence and with a better idea of what I want – to connect passes and move the ball.
“The girls are showing they’re technically able to move the ball, and it’s exciting to have a team that’s young but with a lot of experience from last year.”
That team finished third in the GSL and 11-8 overall. To finish higher, Houston said he needs a complete season from senior captain Alex Chambers. Last year, Chambers was a first-team, all-GSL selection at forward and one of the top returnees in the league.
“I think it’s pretty awesome that they think we’re going to win, but with people coming after us, it’s going to make us work harder,” said Chambers, a four-year varsity player.
“I’m hoping for her to bring her leadership and the competitive heart she has, there’s a lot of pressure on her,” Houston said. “A lot of ownership of this group on her shoulder.”
The Panthers were 2-0 after last weekend. League play opens on Wednesday, with a big match at CV looming on Sept. 30.
Likewise, veteran defenders Molly Carpenter and Katie Anderson will provide the leadership in the back as new keeper Bailey Thompson takes over for graduated all-leaguer Ashlynn Juul.
“We have a lot of really great girls, and we’re meshing really well,” Carpenter said. “It’s fun to be part of it.”