Prep favored again
From one game to the next, Gonzaga Prep girls soccer coach Christian Birrer just doesn’t know what to do with Tara Cronin.
It’s not his fault. Blame the Bullpup senior.
An all-state and all-league selection last year, Cronin may rank as the most versatile player in the Greater Spokane League. Her veteran presence and all-around play will play an undeniable role in Prep’s defense of its three-year run as league champion.
Cronin is an offensive-minded defender, Birrer positioning her on the outside to facilitate her push up the field. She’s a skilled playmaker whom Birrer credits with an intrinsic ability to read passing lanes, a trait that benefits Cronin on both ends of the field.
“She does have great versatility,” Birrer said, noting Cronin grew comfortable playing several positions as a freshman on the junior varsity squad. “Some players change positions and get confused and play too defensively or too offensively. She adapts.”
Birrer said matchups against opponents often determine where Cronin spends her time. She can lock down defensively a foe’s potent scorer, or she can contribute to Prep’s offensive attack if Birrer anticipates an opponent’s defensive deficiency.
“She’s an incredible shooter of the ball and very tall (5-foot-10), and she’s good at winning balls in the air,” Birrer said.
Cronin’s sister, Molly, was tabbed the GSL’s defensive most valuable player last year and has graduated. That leaves a vacancy that Birrer believes the younger Cronin should fill admirably.
“Tara and Molly were very close last year and typically played right next to each other on the field,” Birrer said. “It was strange having two All-GSL players who are sisters playing at the same time in similar positions. … Last year, they both worked extremely hard for each other and the team.
“Molly was the leader on the back line, and this year Tara will be following in her sister’s footsteps.”
Prep’s final line of defense, senior goalkeeper Elise Kuhar-Pitters, should cap her career as one of the greatest keepers in Bullpup history. She is a two-time all-league selection and was named an all-state pick last year.
In addition to serving as the school’s student body president, Kuhar-Pitters was named a co-captain with two-time all-league midfielder Caitlin Davis. A goalie’s responsibilities don’t end with stopping opposing shots, and Birrer said Kuhar-Pitters has grasped the nuances of the position.
“Elise controls her defensive line very well,” he said. “Among other things, she constantly makes sure her defenders are aware of the opposing team’s attackers and offers advice on when to pass players on or when to mark them. Her proven leadership is another important aspect she lends to the team.”
Despite the Bullpups’ star power, they certainly are no guarantee to emerge as the league’s champion for a fourth consecutive year. Coaches around the GSL were unanimous in their determination that the league continues to grow more competitive.
Birrer said Ferris “has its best team ever.” University is a perennial threat to reach the postseason and has one of the deepest midfields in the league to counter the loss of last year’s offensive MVP, Tonya Schnibbe. Mead has a strong club team presence. Shadle Park is one year older and wiser after being one of the youngest teams in the league in 2005.
“Each year seems to get more and more even throughout the league,” Ferris coach Robin Crain said. “There’s parity, obviously, on a yearly basis. Who knows? A number of teams could finish first or finish in sixth.”
Ferris may not have a proven goalscorer, but Crain has eight seniors on his club. He said he’s still determining the final positions where his athletes will play.
University returns two all-league juniors – forward Rachel Lopez and midfielder Abby Goss.
Titans coach Kevin Houston added that he hopes midfielders Sara Santiago and Katy Sloyer will contribute mightily.