Soccer Trounces G-Prep

The weather was warm and sunny in Spokane on Wednesday afternoon — a beautiful early spring day, perfect for a soccer match or two.  The turf field at  Gonzaga Prep was recently replaced and is in excellent condition.  The entire athletic complex at Prep is excellent.  The last time Pullman played at this facility was the spring of 2018; it was a physically tough match that ended 1-1 at the end of regulation; the Bullpups won in penalty kicks that went eight rounds.

On this night, Pullman’s JV took the field first.  For the most part, it was an evenly played match with the better chances leaning the Hounds’ way.  Finally, in the 76th minute, Pullman was awarded a penalty kick. GPrep’s made an initial save on Kwaku Charles’ spot kick, and then saved Charles’ put back attempt. Junior Matthew Strenge knocked in that final deflection for the games’ only goal.  Pullman’s JV remains unbeaten on the season.

The varsity squad had been anticipating match with since it was scheduled, knowing it would present an excellent opportunity to play a quality team that would expose potential weaknesses and provide competition that is difficult to find in the 2A ranks of the GSL — competition necessary in preparing for the post-season.

The scouting report on the Bullpups revealed that the strength of their 4-3-3 was the play of the three center mids, and that they were dangerous on set pieces.  Both pieces of information proved accurate.

In the third minute of the game, Carlens Dollin cooked Prep’s left back, beating home to end line; Dollin’s cross was driven and the center back had no choice but the head the ball; unfortunately, he headed it into the goal instead of over the end line. Pullman 1, Gonzaga Prep 0.

The Bullpups were quite content to patiently knock the ball around the back, not much materialized from that possession. In the 12th minute, GPHS earned a corner; a well-served ball from Sam G was headed home by Thompson.  The scouting report wasn’t wrong. Pullman 1, Gonzaga Prep 1.

A minute later, Carlens Dollin cooked Prep’s left back, again, and served a low ball across the face of the goal. Lukas Wexler got on the end of it for his third goal in the last two games. Pullman 2, Gonzaga Prep 1. And that was the score line at half time.

Despite some quality by Prep’s midfield, Pullman was clearly the better team in the half, exposing some serious issues for Prep’s back four.

The Bullpups elected to sub-out its best players in the second half, and the never returned, essentially conceding the game with 40 minutes to play. The Hounds made sure the game was never question, outshooting Prep 9-2 in the second half and getting goals from Phillipp Kirchhoff (Lange), Carlens Dollin (Campbell, M), Marcelo Romero, and Isaiah Bischoff (PK). Pullman 6, Gonzaga Prep 1.

It final outcome of the match was a fine result, but was unsettling as it was not the game that was anticipated by any stretch of the imagination.  The lingering question is are we a better team now for having played that game? A loss in a more competitive game may have better served the team in trying to accomplish their long term goals.

On Thursday, the Hounds will start league play at Clarkston; kick off is set for 6:00 PM.