Sophomore Derek Leyva, who joins cousin Aram Leyva on the pitch, is Coupeville’s newest soccer star. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
There’s a new sharpshooter in town.
As the Coupeville High School boys soccer squad prepares for its home opener Saturday against 2A Olympic (11 AM JV, 1 PM varsity) there’s buzz over both the school’s new stadium, and its newest soccer star.
While local fans watched the stadium being slowly built, sophomore Derek Leyva is virtually popping up out of nowhere.
The cousin of current and former Wolf booters Aram and Abraham Leyva, Derek is still fairly new to the hallways of CHS.
But he’s not new to the soccer field, where his youth can’t disguise the years he’s put in perfecting his game.
“I’ve played since I was six years old,” Leyva said. “I started to play soccer because since I was a little boy I’ve liked it.
“I like soccer because I enjoy it and have fun.”
Leyva, who enjoys listening to music when he’s not playing, draws a lot of support from his family.
“My dad would have to be the biggest impact in my life,” he said.
On the pitch, Leyva will use his speed (“my strengths are running”) as he and Aram chase the goal-scoring records set by Abraham during his playing days.
The duo and their teammates also want to make a run at the top of the 1A Olympic League, with an eye on toppling three-time defending champs Klahowya.
“Some areas I’d like to work on would have to be making more goals,” Derek Leyva said. “My goal for this upcoming season is to make history.”
Coupeville Sports 
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