Mead hasn’t paid penalty for shootouts

Mead has been involved in so many penalty kick shootout matches this year, winning all seven, that activities coordinator Dick Cullen suggested a T-shirt saying “Can’t we win one in regulation?”

Cullen, Mead’s former soccer coach, said he’s never seen a season like this.

The pressure is strictly on the five shooters, said Mead goalkeeper Jason Gass.

“People think it’s harder on the goalkeepers, but in actuality it’s not,” he said. “We’re not supposed to make a save.”

Gass said his parents think he’s crazy when he says he rather enjoys shootouts.

The Panthers play Snohomish, a four-time semifinalist and third in 2004, in Friday’s nightcap of the six-match state tournament.

“From what I know, they have a forward who’s a big, strong, fast kid who if he gets behind you you’re not going to catch,” said Mead coach Matt Stueckle. “The other star guy is a midfield player, very good with the ball at his feet, who can beat you off the dribble.”

Stueckle said that in many respects, luck is involved in winning a shootout, but it has also given Gass and the Panthers shooters a confidence edge.

If it means two more shootout playoff wins and a state title, Mead will take it.