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GSL Preview Boys Soccer

The Spokesman-Review

Offense/Midfield

Mead gets the nod on the offensive end. The Panthers already have a 1-0 win over East Valley under their belt. “We look real strong again with a lot of returning players,” Panthers coach Matt Stueckle said. Among Stueckle’s returning starters: senior midfielder Chris Windham, a four-year varsity veteran that made the All-GSL second team last season. “If the team’s not playing too well, he’s the kind of guy who can lift the team with his play and kind of get us energized,” Stueckle said. Also in the Panthers’ lineup is senior forward Tim Doggett, who has had his past two seasons cut short by injuries. Doggett has scored four goals in his first four games of the season. “If he can stay healthy, he could maybe be the leading scorer in the league this year,” Stueckle said. … Ferris sophomore James Matern, a midfielder, will play a key role for the Saxons’ search for the league title. They were the top 4A team during the regular season, finishing second overall in the league last year. … Lewis and Clark returns a couple of 2006 All-GSL second-team midfielders, including senior Peter Dunau and junior Galen Gorski.

Defense

Although East Valley coach Jeff Rose and the Knights are dealing with the loss of Ben Funkhouser, last year’s All-GSL Offensive Player of the Year, Rose’s returning lineup in the backfield will be a huge part of the Knights’ push for a third straight league title. The Knights, who have 10 seniors on the varsity roster, will rely on seniors and All-GSL first-team players Josh Peck and Josh Polello and second-team defender Matt Miller. “We are missing Ben Funkhouser,” Rose said. “So we are trying to go on and do things a little bit differently. Our defense will be pretty critical for us this year.” Peck is the top goalkeeper in the league, while Polello is a team captain and center back defender. … Ferris returns All-GSL second-team goalkeeper DJ Bray.

Outlook

Mead (4-0, 1-0 GSL), which finished third in the 4A state tournament last year, returns eight starters while 3A East Valley (1-2, 1-0), two-time defending league champion, returns nine starters. Ferris (3-0, 1-0) and LC (2-2, 0-1) are also contenders for the league title. University (2-2, 1-0) pulled out an early 2-1 win over East Valley, throwing the Titans’ name into the mix of favorites.