The Panther’s Den While Many Teams Look Strong In Gsl Soccer, Most Believe Mead Teams Will Come Out On Top

So many good, young girls return in the Greater Spokane League that North Side soccer coaches have reason to be upbeat.

But no one will pick against Mead.

“For both the boys and girls, every year Mead wins the GSL title,” said Christian Birrer of Gonzaga Prep, which gave the Panthers their toughest challenge a year ago and should be near the top this time around. “They have tradition going for them. That’s hard to break.”

Dick Cullen’s Panthers have won nine straight GSL titles, have not lost a league game in 3-1/2 years and won state two years ago.

Mead graduated three all-league first-team players plus Kim Stiles, who missed half the season with a knee injury but still earned a scholarship at soccer power Portland.

Still, the team has a wealth of experience, said Birrer.

Cullen agreed.

“We have a lot of returning players. A lot of girls played key roles. It will be interesting. I think we’ll be fairly strong.”

Shadle Park has a strong nucleus back but Rogers and North Central have a few more holes to fill.

Panthers always team to beat

Heading the list for the Panthers is Player of the Year Stacy Clinesmith, who led the league with 21 goals last year. Also back are forward Jen Dunford, a first-team forward, and Allison Beatty, a second-team midfielder, plus honorable mention goalkeeper Holly Vanwert.

“The next couple of weeks we have lots of questions to answer like leadership, finding depth, rounding out the lineup,” Cullen said.

One key element is how the team responds to the long winning streak and favorite’s role.

“I just hope they don’t look at it as pressure,” Cullen said. “I hope they look at it as opportunity. The expectations are high.”

Other key returners are senior striker Jaclyn Burton, Sabina Udin and juniors Kelly Leaf, Missy Strasburg, Katrina Morton and Erin Moore.

Highlanders have strong nucleus

Second-year coach Kevin Trimm has few holes to fill and had a turnout of 42 girls. He also has increased coaching staff help.

“I have a new assistant, Kevin Parker, and I have a lot more help this year, which is probably what I needed last year,” he said.

Team goals remain the same, every player giving 100 percent.

“We are better than we were last year, by a long shot,” Trimm said. “I have a larger amount of soccer players, although they are younger. Last year was a growing year.”

Heading the list of returnees is sophomore keeper Tara Buckley.

Midfielders are juniors Jennifer Beachler, Carolyn Nelson, a transfer from California who will have “an immediate impact,” Emilee Steckler, Erica Hall, Becky Garland, and senior Jen Hutchison who is recovering from mononucleosis and is co-captain with senior striker Johanna Alexander.

Fullbacks include sophomore Becky Wells, juniors Vanessa Hanks, Christina Hernandez and Erin Rice and senior Jessica Wunsch.

Senior striker Kristina Withey is also back.

Newcomers are junior fullback Crystal Stoeher and freshmen utility Lisa Moen, midfielder Jennifer Rudder and strikers Jaime Wenchell and Kristen Hawley.

The backup keeper is Amber Aman.

“We’re happy with everything,” Trimm said. “They came in in good shape. We got right down to business.”

Pirates building base

The Pirates also had a good turnout, getting 35 girls, making it a little easier for GSL coach of the year Chris Sande to replace a number of graduates.

“It’s a hard-working group of girls,” he said. “They’re working well together at this point. That’s a key for girls. We need to learn how to attack and defend as a unit.”

Senior returners are midfielders Jenny Hutchens and Jackie Findley and fullback Michelle Hooper.

The only veteran junior is Angie Vulcano, a two-time honorable mention keeper.

Sophomores include forward Shelly Zahrowski, fullback Leanne Johnston and midfielder Haylie Basche.

The newcomers are junior fullbacks Anna Mullerleile and Tawnya Burns and forward Jennifer Long and sophomores Uyen Cao, a midfielder and Lauren Berry, who will play midfield or fullback.

“We’re looking for a pretty aggressive start,” Sande said. “It would help their confidence. Our goal is to grow in each and every game and get better and better.”

Indians trying to build numbers

Veteran coach Eddie Birrer has a major rebuilding project in his second year with the Indians. He only has five returning letter winners and just 19 players turned out the first day of practice. The turnout is now up to about two dozen.

“We’re telling these girls they can be as good as they want to be, it’s up to them,” Birrer said. “They’re limited only by how they want to limit themselves.”

Four seniors, keeper Kami McGowan, midfielders Tara Young and Meagan Michelbook and defender Sarah Michelbook, a second-team all-league defender, and junior Emily Jones, a midfielder, are the only veterans.

There are several other players vying for the final varsity openings.

That opens the door for freshmen Kristin Walters, Amanda Chase and Melissa Estrada, sophomores Joella Eirls and Stephanie Scott and juniors Erin Meier and Cheri Bibb.

“We’re treating the freshmen as equals,” Birrer said. “They fit in with the upperclassmen. We think we’re going to be competitive.”

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