Transition Made Easy For New Mead Soccer Coach

The Dick Cullen soccer era at Mead has ended after a dozen years.

But a piece of history still remains in his replacement, Craig Busch.

Busch, who will coach the Panther boys this year, assisted Cullen for all those years and before.

“Including girls, that’s 24 years of coaching soccer together which is fairly unusual,” said Busch. “As time went on we shared more ideas and I helped contribute to the success. The transition has been fairly easy.”

Busch is one of two new coaches of North Side GSL teams. Tim Cox, who previously was head boys coach of St. George’s School, takes over at North Central.

His predecessor, Robin Crain, moved to Ferris.

Cox just finished heading up a school chess club which finished ninth in state at the varsity level and third at junior varsity.

“Chess is the greatest game ever played in the world and soccer is the greatest sport in the world,” said Cox. “Right now being part of these two programs puts me on top of the world.”

Returning head coaches are Christian Birrer of Gonzaga Prep, Stuart Saunders of Shadle Park and Chris Sande of Rogers.

“We know it is a competitive league and don’t take anything for granted,” said Busch. “We’re coming in humble.”

Mead seeks to retain magic

Togetherness got the Panthers a second-place state finish last year. Ten players who experienced it are back.

“The key to a team with this type of experience that has been to the dance, is how much they are willing to stay together and play as a unit,” said Busch.

Returned are seniors Ken Moulaison, Jon Carras, J.J. Klaus, Nich Friedrichsen at forward, Trevor Erickson, Chad Kauppi, Brandon Carlson at midfield, Ryan Spidahl and Frank Hankel on defense and junior Todd Dolan at midfield.

Senior newcomers are keeper Dave Szymarek, Nate Neuman, a striker, Brett Anderson, a midfielder and California transfer Brett Ashwood, at defense or midfield.

Juniors include keeper Doug Lupton, defenders Scotty Kerwein, James Kelly, Rawley Doggett and Tyler Denton, midfield-defender Shad Irmer and striker Craig Evans.

Sophomores Todd Liptac and Troy Ready are getting a look.

Rebuilding means nothing to Prep

Although the Gonzaga Prep soccer team lost the bulk of last year’s starting 11, the term “rebuilding year” doesn’t mean a thing to Birrer.

Look at our teams from two and three years ago, Birrer says. People called them rebuilding years but they placed second in state in 1995 and third in 1994.

“Last year was supposed to be the year you wait for, but we got knocked out in regionals,” Birrer said. “You never know when you’re going to have your best chemistry.”

Right now, injuries have haunted the team. First-team all-GSL selection Jud Druffell, a center-midfielder, and defender Matt Ray, are both expected to miss most or all of the 1997 season with knee and shoulder injuries.

Softening the news is the return of second-team all-leaguer Nick Byrd, a midfielder, and GSL honorable mention defender Jeff Dixon.

Mike Severino, a senior, joins the two North Side residents on the varsity team for the first time.

Shadle needs balanced scoring Third in league a year ago, the Highlanders got most of its scoring from a graduated player.

“We never had anybody do that before,” said Saunders. “In the past we’ve always spread it around.”

That will likely be the case again for a team which returns all but three starters from its playoff squad.

Senior returnees include foward-midfielders Kris Walters, Matt Kennedy, defenders Jason Wells, Casey Laughary and goal keeper Scott Peterson.

Also back are junior midfielder Zak Kingsley, defenders Jason Meyer, Nathanial Bowie and keeper Matt Miller.

Back after a year’s absence is junior Eric Anderson, a forward-midfielder who started as a freshman. Sophomore Charlie Howlett returns in midfield.

Others on the team are sophomore midfielders Donnie Schafer, Jake Person and forward-midfielder Ty Pfundhaller.

“We’re very optimistic,” said Saunders. “We have the potential to do as well as anyone else in league.”

New look at North Central

With the league’s top two scorers graduated and the head coach gone, NC is starting over.

“We’re young, which I think is good news,” said new coach Cox. “The future looks like it’s on the upswing. The guys have set a goal of making it into the playoffs.”

Leading the way are senior defender Nate Stanton and goal keeper Spencer Jewell, the team captains, a backup keeper Justin Lake, who can play defense as well.

Midfield is the Indians’ strength, so much so that Cox may use a largely midfield lineup.

“That may create a rather unique system of play for us,” he said.

Players to watch include freshmen Bobby Johnson and Dustin Allberry, junior forward Eric Johnson, sophomores Tim O’Halloran on defense, Owen Turnbull, Jeff Windham and Bryce Harrison up front or in the middle, and senior midfielder Dustin Crogan.

Seniors midfielders who will spell them are Jeff Fox, Jesse Geddes, Gabe Glenn, and Kurt Wood.

Cox is hopeful that senior forward Cody Smith will return from snow ski competition in time to help the team.

Rogers team taking bigger steps

With a large group of veteran players, most of them defenders, coach Chris Sande is hoping for something new.

“Rogers hasn’t spent a lot of time playing defense, as you can tell by past scores,” he said.

He is expecting to give up fewer points this season.

Senior veterans are sweeper Joe Thornton, defender Matt Squires, goal keeper Neil Pierson and forwards Joe Le and Thang Chau.

Juniors are defenders Josh Wells, Eric Rushing, midfielders Cheng Vue, Chase Vue and Matt Allen.

Sophomore William Vue will be at midfield, along with freshmen midfielders Ahmed El Giadi and Siayee Vue.

“The guys are pretty solid,” said Sande. “I think we might surprise a few teams.”

Sande formed a U-19 club team and last year the Spokane Shadow conducted a clinic for 100 Rogers-area youngsters ages 7-12. They are going to do it again.

“The experience level is going up each year,” said Sande. “We’re really trying to promote soccer in the Northeast community.”

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