Panthers Find Winning Ways Against Tigers

Prep Soccer

There is a tradition at Mead High School when it comes to girls soccer.

It’s about winning Greater Spokane League championships.

University got in the way of that last season, breaking a string of 12 straight league titles by Mead.

But the Panthers took a big step toward reestablishing that roll on Wednesday night with a 2-1 victory over Lewis and Clark under the lights at Mead Middle School.

Both teams entered the match with 2-0 league records. Mead junior Janie Strait scored the game-winner at 69 minutes off a pass from Adriane Kehl. Strait faked out LC defender Allison Magney and launched a shot from 12 yards before sweeper Janine McNally could get in her way.

Strait said last season’s runner-up GSL finish was a disappointment.

“We felt like we let down our school and the program,” said Strait, who was the key to Mead’s counter-attack Wednesday. “We were fired up to come back and show the GSL we are a strong team.”

LC coach Harlan Slind said Mead (6-1, 3-0 GSL) dominated the midfield and the Tigers didn’t apply enough pressure. Mead outshot LC (6-2, 2-1) 13-8.

Tigers junior Sarah Bot scored her team’s goal at 13 minutes for a 1-0 lead and she booted a shot with 46 seconds left that Mead keeper Angie Shea stopped for one of her six saves.

Freshman Jennifer Sherwood scored Mead’s first goal at 34 minutes when she lofted a free kick into the net from 30 yards out.

“It would be silly to think we wouldn’t want to regain what we had for so long,” said Mead coach Travis Hanson. “Each of the girls and myself knows what the tradition has been and we want to keep that going.”

Also in the GSL, Gina Guyer made two saves during a shootout and Ferris scored on its first four shots of the shootout to edge University 2-1 at Albi Stadium. Courtney Lynn, Kate Parks, Sara Richardson and Abbie Socha scored for Ferris (2-0) during the shootout… . Kristin Carlson capped a rally with a goal at 53 minutes, and East Valley (2-0) held on for a 3-2 win at North Central. NC, which had a 2-0 lead, hit the post with two shots in the closing moments… . Raeanna Jewell dribbled past three defenders for a goal from short range and Central Valley (2-1) went on to a 3-0 win at Gonzaga Prep. Jewell broke a scoreless tie 1 minute into the second half… . Freshman Rachael Bauer scored four times in the second half, giving her 11 goals on the season, and Shadle Park defeated Rogers 8-0 at Albi.