Five still alive in GSL soccer playoff race

Before the season began, University soccer coach Kevin Houston never envisioned the uncertainty of this year’s multi-team Greater Spokane League title race entering the final week.

Two matches remain, Wednesday and Friday, and, depending upon the outcomes, any of five teams can qualify for the district championship between the top two finishers that determines an automatic state berth.

“This is the first year I can think of where it has gone down to the very last game, and definitely the last week,” he said. “Last year we pretty much knew where everybody was before the last week and one-half.”

His second-place Titans (7-1 in league with 20 points) have been a big reason the GSL is in turmoil. They beat league leader Mead (7-1, 22) earlier and Friday stopped Ferris (7-1, 19). Central Valley (6-2, 19) is tied with the Saxons for third. All four could win or share the league title and Lewis and Clark (6-2, 18) could finish second and be in the title game.

Last year the Titans beat the Tigers for the district championship, but U-Hi was picked to place fifth this year in what coaches envisioned as a wide-open league.

“To be honest,” said Houston, “I thought we would be in the top three.”

University was replacing much of its midfield and defense, he said, but he banked on keeper Ryan Dixon duplicating last year’s effort and juniors Evan Frobe and Mikey Ramos becoming offensive forces. Frobe leads the GSL with 10 goals and has four assists. Ramos has seven goals and eight assists.

Last year’s reserves have embraced roles as starters.

“I think it was a matter of guys buying into what we had done last year,” Houston said “We didn’t want to lose what we had developed.”

The Titans built on a 4-3 overtime loss to Central Valley, one of his pre-season favorites, in the season opener. A 3-2 shootout victory over Mead in late March helped them pick their way up the standings. Friday night, U-Hi overcame a 2-0 deficit midway through the second half of the match with the Saxons. Ramos and Frobe assisted each other on scores a minute apart to force overtime. Sophomore Chris Woodard netted the winner from Oscar Marmojelo a minute into the second extra five-minute period.

“Against Mead the big thing was coming back from behind against a quality opponent,” said Houston. “They didn’t give up and the mental toughness we preached is really what allowed us to beat Ferris.”

University plays host to East Valley, winners of four straight, Wednesday. Ferris travels to CV. Friday, the Saxons end at Mead and the Titans are at Hart Field against LC.

The GSL began six weeks ago, district starts next week, but there is still a ways to go.

Words don’t explain it

Chuck Bowden grew up an exaggerated long discus throw from Pasco, but the Prosser graduate was never able to compete in the Pasco Invitational.

Back when Bowden was throwing the discus for the Mustangs – and at one time sporting the best throw in the Columbia Basin – the Prosser Invitational conflicted with Pasco. That’s why the Central Valley boys coach was on cloud nine when his Bears handed him the team trophy from the Pasco Invite on Saturday afternoon.

The Bears scored 41 points – all but four in the last two hours of the meet – to become just the fourth Greater Spokane League school to win the prestigious meet.

Mead has 10 boys and girls titles combined, the last coming in 2003. Gonzaga Prep and Ferris, in 1971 and ‘72, respectively, are the other Spokane boys teams to win the meet.

“This is fantastic,” Bowden said. “I couldn’t be happier for the kids. Wow.”

After a pause, he added, “When have you ever heard me at a loss for words? Amazing.”

Dave Trimmer

Baseball crunch time

Injury-plagued Mt. Spokane (7-9) and North Central (5-9) play each other today and Thursday in a series with 3A regional seeding implications.

And Great Northern League teams set about deciding league champions this week.

West Valley (12-3, 9-1), which suffered its first league loss in a doubleheader split in Pullman (8-2, 6-2) Monday, plays Cheney (10-3, 7-2) at home Friday. The Greyhounds and Blackhawks split a doubleheader last week.

In the Panorama League, St. George’s continues to cruise unbeaten atop 2B and Northport has a comfortable lead in 1B.

Other leagues still have weather issues to address over the next two weeks before playoffs can begin.

Tennis leaders clash

Mead and Gonzaga Prep girls determine undisputed first place in the GSL today. The Bullpups joined the Panthers at 6-0 atop the league with 5-2 victories over previously unbeaten University and Ferris.

Ferris boys are 7-0 in first place after beating Mead 6-1 and face one-loss Mt. Spokane at home today.