BRODSKY'S GOAL SENDS MEAD TO AAA TITLE GAME

Mead coach Dick Cullen isn't sure if this is the last season he'll coach the Panthers boys soccer team, but if it is, he's setting up for a grand exit.

On the strength of a 2-1 victory over Rogers of Puyallup Friday night at Sparks Stadium, the Panthers are within striking distance for their first boys state soccer title.

Senior midfielder Ben Brodsky scored the game-winner in the final 13 minutes to put the Panthers into the championship game. Mark Lupton, a senior defender, kept Mead in the game early with a goal 25 minutes into the first half.

The Panthers will face Eastlake of Bellevue for the state title tonight at 8 at Sparks Stadium. The Wolves knocked off Woodinville 1-0 in the first semifinal matchup.

Eastlake, which includes 10 Olympic development players, is 18-0-1 and ranked No. 14 in the nation. The Wolves have outscored their opponents 86-9, have allowed two goals in a game only once and have 10 shutouts.

Mead (19-1) has outscored its opponents 60-15 with 10 shutouts. This is Mead's fourth trip the final four and second trip to the state title game. The Panthers lost to Thomas Jefferson in their first try in 1986.

Cullen is committed to coaching the girls team in the fall, but is wavering on the boys job with his growing responsibilities at Mead.

The only state title Cullen has won was in 1993 while coaching his daughter, Joy.

"It means the world to me," said Mead keeper Chris Cullen, the fourth of Dick's children to play for him. "To win (today) would be the greatest I could imagine."

Rogers jumped ahead first on a goal by junior forward Jordan Dunn 16 minutes into the game. Dan Peach assisted, serving in a free kick deep into the Panthers penalty box. Cullen went high for the ball and seemed to get his hands on it. The ball bounced free to Dunn when a Roger player slammed into Cullen, but no foul was called.

"I talked to the ref at halftime," Chris Cullen said. "He said it was too far out for it to be considered clearly my ball. I personally thought I hand my hands on the ball and it came out on contact."

The Panthers drew even just 12 minutes later when Lupton headed in a free kick from junior defender Ryan Spidahl. With time winding down and the game being played between the 30 yard lines, Mead made its most serious attack of the game.

Senior midfielder Ben Baxter dribbled past a Rogers defender down the left sideline and sent a left-footed cross into the Rams goal mouth. Mead junior defender J.J. Klaus tried to trap the ball and shoot, but could not gain full control. Instead, he ended up setting up Brodsky for a shot.

"A couple guys were around and I stretched out," Brodsky said. "The goalie was coming out and I just got it by him."

The Rams charged back in the final minutes, pushing all but their keeper into the Panthers' end of the field. Rogers nearly scored with just seconds left when Travis Durhan collected a long punt from keeper Christian Clausnitzer. Durhan trapped the ball down and shot from 18 yards out.

Copyright 1996 Cowles Publishing Company
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