Nc Tips G-Prep In Debut

GSL soccer

North Central High School inaugurated the Greater Spokane League boys soccer season Wednesday with a big surprise.

Bobby Johnson scored at 15 minutes, and NC’s defense took over after that during a 1-0 win at Gonzaga Prep.

NC had lost all five of its preseason matches. G-Prep, a State AAA finalist two years ago and playoff team last year, went 5-2 before league play.

Johnson scored on Tim O’Halloran’s throw-in. Goalkeeper Spencer Jewell registered the shutout.

In other openers, six-time defending league champion Mead, with Craig Busch replacing Dick Cullen as coach, survived a shootout at University to win 2-1.

The Panthers (6-0-1 overall) outscored the Titans 4-2 during a shootout. J.J. Klaus’ breakaway at 20 minutes gave Mead a 1-0 lead in regulation, but U-Hi (4-3-0) answered right before halftime on Kelly Tifft’s pass to Josh Melcher.

At Hart Field, Chad Cone scored on a crossing pass for his second goal of the afternoon as visiting Central Valley (5-2-0) beat Lewis and Clark 3-1.

Pete Flatt of the Tigers (4-2-0) scored on a long throw-in at 57 minutes to tie the match, but Eric Phinney headed in Joey Clarizio’s corner kick 9 minutes later as the Bears recaptured the lead.

At Rogers, Kris Walters scored four times and Ty Pfundheller added one goal and one assist as Shadle Park (3-2-0) beat the Pirates 8-1. Rogers is 0-7-0.

The GSL season originally was scheduled to begin April 7 and April 9, but matches were moved to avoid coinciding with spring break.

Three matches originally set for April 9 - Rogers at NC, CV at G-Prep, and LC at U-Hi - will be played Friday.

Mead’s match at Ferris, also first set for April 9, will not be played Friday. The match will be rescheduled so Mead faculty members can attend a memorial service for Doug McCray.

McCray, 47, died of a heart attack Monday. The brother of Bob McCray, who will be the football coach at Mead next season, Doug McCray coached at Coeur d’Alene, Mead and Shadle Park.

, DataTimes