Soccer Teams Will Get 1 Shot To Dispatch League Foes

Greater Spokane League soccer teams will play each other just once this year in matches that count toward a championship.

The scheduling change has its good points and bad.

“It’s a neat opportunity to play somewhat different teams,” said North Central coach Robin Crain. “The only disadvantage is it’s a do-or-die situation (in league).”

The schedule relative to home and away opponents, Crain believes, could play a bigger role in how teams fare, particularly if a team has all its “toss-up” matches on the road.

Still, most coaches are in favor of the change. It gives them more time to prepare for league. They can schedule non-league opponents relative to respective team abilities.

Mead and Gonzaga Prep, for instance, bused to Tacoma last weekend for competition against Stadium High.

“The school and field were incredible,” Coach Dick Cullen said of Mead’s 1-0 victory on Omni Turf. “And we played in 58-degree weather.”

Other schools have scheduled teams from around the Spokane area.

“I think it will make a big difference,” said Shadle Park coach Stuart Saunders. “It gives us a chance to play kids and see what they can do.”

Added Rogers coach Chris Sande: “I’m hoping it gives us a chance to compete and build up our confidence a bit.”

Defending champion Mead and state runner-up Gonzaga Prep remain likely favorites.

The new league format could make things interesting for schools like North Central and Shadle, which were bunched tightly between third and sixth place last year.

First league counters aren’t until March 27. Given last week’s snow that forced teams indoors, the later start is nice.

Panthers seek to maintain tradition

There are no superstars on what will likely be Cullen’s final boys team.

He will become Mead activities coordinator when the new high school opens and be too busy next spring to coach.

“They are good athletes involved in lots of activities who tend to be in pretty good shape and agile,” he said.

As such, he said they should form another good team.

A dozen players return from last year, including co-captains Rich Cullen, one of two goal keepers, and midfielder Ben Brodsky, the team’s second-leading scorer.

Senior veterans are keeper Aaron Walkup, defenders Mark Lupton, Aaron Trainor and Casey Curtis, forward Ben Baxter, and midfielders Nick Hebb, Ryan Valentine and Marc Riccelli.

Riccelli suffered a collapsed lung in basketball and will not return for at least a month.

Juniors from last year’s varsity are forward Ken Moulaison and defender J.J. Klaus.

Newcomers include seniors Nick Stucky on defense, Dustin Lungo, who missed last year with a knee injury, at midfield, and forward Mike Neff.

Juniors are defenders Frank Hankel and Ryan Spidahl, forward John Carras and midfielder Brandon Carlson. Sophomore Todd Dolan made the team as a midfielder.

“We have the makings for a fairly strong team,” said Cullen. “The players have to really make the decision to work together and hard.”

Offense is NC long suit

Returning its three leading scorers from last year’s fourth-place league finisher will offset the loss, through graduation, of North Central’s defense.

“I think we’ll be in the hunt again,” said Crain. “Kids will have to come through defensively.”

Returning Indians scorers are regional standout Paul Johnson, fourth in league with 11 goals, junior skiing star Cody Smith and Colin Turnbull.

Also back are both goal keepers, Spencer Jewell and Justin Lake. The lone defender with much playing time is Nick Clemens.

Prospects are sophomore midfielder Eric Johnson, junior sweeper Nathan Stanton, defenders Tyler Bauer, a senior, Brian Mack, a sophomore, and LC transfer Yonnas Tesfai, a sophomore midfielder.

Club system boon to young Shadle

The Highlanders bring back three strong seniors and will build around them with youth.

“We have a lot of freshmen with talent,” said Saunders. “We’re starting to pick up year-around players. This year 90 percent of our team is playing in the club system as well.”

All-league defender Peter Raber and defender Steven Dixson are back along with Ryan Vaine, who was an all-league forward two years ago. Another senior, goal keeper Cameron Schultz missed last year because of illness.

Junior veterans are defender Jason Wells, midfielders Kris Walters, Matt Kennedy and Casey Laughary and goal keeper Scott Peterson.

Sophomore letter winners are forward Zach Kingsley and midfielder Eric Anderson.

They are the core of Shadle’s 19-player roster.

International flavor at Rogers

Pirate coach Chris Sande is fielding a team with an international flavor.

Several players are of Laotian and Vietnamese descent.

“We have a few communications problems,” said Sande, “but we use a common vocabulary as far as soccer language is concerned.”

Sande is hoping that will translate into some wins after last year’s 0-16 season. Many of the players have been in the program for three years.

“We’re getting them to jell and getting the chemistry together,” he said.

Included on the roster are midfielders and forwards Cheng Vue, Vilay Vue, the only returning senior, Chase Vue, a sophomore, and William Vue, a freshman.

Varsity veterans include juniors Joe Le, Joey Thornton and Matt Squires, and sophomores Ruben Villarreal and Josh Wells.

Newcomers include seniors Hoa Cao and Ivan Harris, and sophomore forwards Champhan Siharath and Thang Chau.

“Most have been playing together for a while on their own,” said Sande. “They’ve done a little bit of traveling. For us it’s good to get experienced players.”

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