Intensive Rivalry Renewed

Soccer

One of the best regional rivalries is renewed this weekend when the Kamiakin girls soccer team visits Mead.

This is the third year the two teams have battled for a berth in the State AAA final four in Seattle. Saturday’s game is set for 11 a.m. at Mead High School.

“We’ve really got something going,” Mead coach Dick Cullen said. “A lot of the girls know each other from basketball. Of course they know each other from club soccer and ODP (Olympic Development Program soccer). We’re not strangers. It’s become a pretty tight rivalry.”

Two years ago at snowy Mead, the Panthers won on their way to the state championship. Last year Kamiakin scored a late goal for a 2-1 victory and the Braves went on to finish second at state. The rivalry is just as intense in basketball.

With many of the same players participating in both sports, both teams have a long string of state placing trophies.

“They’re a really solid team,” Cullen said. “They’ve got good speed and they’re really aggressive. They also have some very strong individuals. We have to neutralize them while we play as a team. We need to play hard and fast.”

The Braves are led by Meotis Erickson, the coach’s daughter and one of the most prolific goal scorers in state history.

“She’s really, really tough, she’s a genuine player,” Cullen said.

“Everybody has to understand their roles, how they can move off their marking roles and contribute to the attack,” Cullen said. “If everybody understands what everybody else is doing, it’s not so bad. Kamiakin does a lot of marking as well.”

Carmel Lampson, one of the most highly regarded basketball players in the state, is the goalkeeper.

“Lampson is a real intense competitor,” Cullen said. “Apparently she had a great game against Ferris. We know we can expect a tough goal keeper.”

Class AA

It has been hard for Frontier League teams to get past the Mid-Valley champion - witness last year’s Riverside/Deer Park 5-2 loss to Hanford - but this may be the year fortunes change.

Riverside/Deer Park (16-2) is home (at Deer Park) for Saturday’s 1 p.m. rematch with the Falcons (18-0).

“They’re a less experienced team than in the past and we have more experience,” R/DP coach Brandt Houston said. “They lost quite a few seniors and we have quite a few seniors. They’re undefeated but we’re at home, we’re playing well. All of those factors need to fall into place for us.”

A/B boys

Northwest Christian was supposed to play Wahluke to open its regular season. At the last minute, Wahluke backed out.

There will be no cancellation this Saturday, as NWC (12-1-1) meets Wahluke in a state quarterfinal at Kennewick’s Kamiakin High.

NWC’s lone loss was to former state champion Overlake. Forward Jim Mar and wing Matt Heeter lead the Crusaders with nine goals apiece.

“The strength of our team is that we play as a team,” said second-year coach Ray Underwood. “I have very few stars.”

, DataTimes