Titans’ O And Bears’ D Shape Teams

If University and Central Valley’s soccer teams joined forces, they’d be a team to reckon with.

The Titans should have a better than average offense this year, the Bears will remain defensively strong.

Understanding the importance of teamwork, said Titan coach Brandon Deyarmin, is the key if this year’s team is to improve.

U-Hi’s do-or-die finish earned the Titans a share of third place in the Greater Spokane League soccer last year. It also left them unfulfilled.

“We did fairly well to qualify for playoffs,” said Deyarmin. “But it hurt us once we won our way in.”

The Bears had only one senior on last year’s 2-6 seventh-place team and the team could pose a playoff challenge.

“We’ll be competitive for sure, we have been the last couple of years,” said coach Howard Woollett. “Hopefully we’ll move up another notch.”

Last year two matches separated the GSL’s second through sixth place teams. Expect the league to be just as competitive this year.

Defense top priority for Titans

Shoring up a defense depleted by graduation is the top priority of University. “Offensively we’re very strong,” said Deyarmin. “We’ve got a lot of new players on defense and a new goal keeper.”

A dozen players return from last year’s third-place team.

Seniors Kelly Tifft and Josh Melcher will provide the offense up front, along with sophomore midfielder Grant Falco.

But goalkeepers Steve Schmidt, for two years a backup, and junior Kevin Mace are untested.

Defensively, only starter Lance Peterson and varsity letter winner Craig Bishop return. Nick Earling, a versatile senior, could play there along with former midfielder Dusty Enevold.

Sophomores Robert Hartman and David Massey may be asked to contribute.

Midfield is solid with sophomore Paul Hatcher, senior transfer Ryan Riddle, seniors Dustin Warwick, Tyson Hockersmith and Brandon Ryan, plus juniors Jeff Cunningham and Ryan Long all returned.

The Titans play four games against Big Nine schools, Wenatchee today, Kennewick, Kamiakin and Richland.

“We have a great non-league schedule,” said Deyarmin, “we’re lucky in getting those games. If we get to regionals, its important to know how good they are.”

Finding offense key for Bears

Woollett’s hope is that a veteran CV lineup will pack more offensive punch.

“We have some great kids back,” he said. “It’s a matter of putting the ball in the hole, as they say.”

Sixteen players from last year’s team return, although newcomers, such as freshman Andy Cooper could step in.

Among those back are forwards Pat Flanigan, a senior, junior Chad Cone and sophomore Travis Eiffert.

A bolstered midfield includes seniors Joe Clarizio, Marc Caldwell, who also plays forward, Peter Martin and sophomore Ben Zimmerman. Senior John Graves and junior Travis Morgan double as midfielders and defenders.

On defense are seniors Matt Meyer, Eric Phinney, Travis Stephens and sophomore Brandon Martin.

Although several are not club players, they are, said Woollett, good athletes.

Central Valley had its largest ever turnout, approaching 60 players. The pre-season will sort things out.

“There are pros and cons about having one shot at GSL teams,” said Woollett. “The non-league games will tell us who’s where.”

Off-season injuries hurt G-Prep

First-team all GSL selection Jud Druffell, a centermidfielder, and defender Matt Ray, are both expected to miss most or all of the 1997 season for Gonzaga Prep with knee and shoulder injuries.

Softening the bad news will be the return of second-team all-leaguers Ryan Witruck, a goalkeeper, Nick Byrd, a midfielder, and GSL honorable mention defender Jeff Dixon.

Also back are Mike Edmonds and Spencer Leonard, who opened last year as a substitute but worked his way into a starting role by the time the season concluded.

Mike Severino, a senior, joins the varsity team for the first time this year.

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 coach Christian Birrer.

Look at our teams from two and three years ago, Birrer says. Both were young - “people called them rebuilding years” - but still 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.”

, DataTimes