Major Contributor Move From Attacker To Defender Has Been A Good One For Stacey Drollinger And Mead

Stacey Drollinger didn’t think she was contributing much to Mead’s Greater Spokane League state qualifying soccer season.

A center midfielder or stopper, Drollinger was moved to sweeper early this year to solidify the defense.

“Initially I didn’t like the change at all,” the senior all-GSL performer said. “When we won the league championship against University, I felt like I didn’t contribute, like I didn’t do anything.”

The Panther senior now understands the importance of the role entrusted to her by coach Travis Hanson.

During pre-season games, Mead had allowed four goals and Hanson said he felt the defense was capable of better. He moved Jayme Mottram to outside back and replaced her with Drollinger.

“She’s a very vocal leader, encouraging and demanding, who gave great instruction as far as marking assignments,” said Hanson. “She’s also well-skilled with the ball, clears and distributes it well and is an excellent defender.”

Drollinger’s point production diminished, leaving the scoring to players like league-leader Natalie Kehl. Mead’s overall team play improved.

Two weeks ago, Drollinger was rewarded for her selflessness with the biggest goal of her career, the game winner in a 2-1 upset in Richland.

Saturday, she assisted Kehl on an overtime goal to beat Ferris for a berth in the State 4A championships in Friday and Saturday in Federal Way.

“We still get her involved,” said Hanson. “She scored on three different dead-ball plays this year, direct and indirect kicks. Her assist was on another set piece. It shows her value as an attacker.”

During two previous varsity seasons, Drollinger had enjoyed being part of the attack. All that ceased once she changed positions.

“I wasn’t involved,” Drollinger continued. “I wasn’t getting any assists. All I did was clear the ball.”

Drollinger’s attitude changed right after the win over the Titans, when she scored against Central Valley.

“I realized it was not that important,” said Drollinger. “Now, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Sweeper, Hanson convinced her, is every bit as important as scoring goals.

“Although she was not always attacking, she was initiating the attack,” he said. “I also let her know if the other team doesn’t score, we don’t lose.”

Mead allowed only one goal in its final 10 matches. The Panthers went 9-0 in the GSL and were 16-0 overall.

Then Ferris, as it had the previous year, upended the league champs 1-0 after losing to them twice during the season. The Panthers traveled against unbeaten Richland in the first round of state play-offs.

“At first I thought when we had to travel we would lose, but everybody at school showed confidence in us,” said Drollinger. “Richland is incredible. I don’t know if we could have beaten them on any other day than that day.”

Her sister Lindsey, a junior, scored Mead’s first goal. Stacey got the winner 15 minutes into the second half and the defense of Mottram, Morgan Bennett and Janie Strait, took over.

“Our stopper and outside marking backs are incredible,” said Drollinger. “All I did was organize it and tell them what to do.”

The one drawback to becoming sweeper, said Drollinger, was having to direct Lindsay during game situations.

“It’s tough,” said Stacey. “Sweeper is a bossy position and she thinks I’m doing it because she’s my younger sister.”

Drollinger took up soccer as a seventh grader, making a select team. She remembers right before tryouts running in her backyard from fence to fence and taking shots on her father, Bill, a recreational player.

Her family, including her mother, Chris, and grandmother, Charlene Drollinger, have become avid fans.

They’ll be on hand when the Panthers meet in the State 4A semifinals on Friday.

“As a senior and a captain this is truly exciting,” said Drollinger. “I went over as a sophomore and we were third that year. I’ve always wanted to be state champions. For some reason I feel this is the year.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo