Genna Wright, who scored 10 goals as a freshman, is Coupeville soccer’s top returning scorer this fall. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Welcome to a whole new world.
As Kyle Nelson returns for his second year at the helm of the Coupeville High School girls soccer squad, he’ll guide a team in transition into a new conference.
Gone are Klahowya, the Olympic League, and leading Wolf scorer Kalia Littlejohn, who chose to skip her senior season, while the jump to the new North Sound Conference tosses defending state champs King’s into the mix.
But, with 13 returning players on his roster, including Genna Wright, who bashed home 10 goals as a freshman, Nelson enters the new day head high and chin set.
“My goal is to form a well-organized, disciplined, exciting to watch squad,” he said. “And with anyone who watches us play this year, seeing improvement through the course of the season.”
The new league pits CHS against South Whidbey, Cedar Park Christian, Granite Falls and Sultan.
And, of course, the private school Knights, who toppled Elma, Klahowya, Seattle Academy and Cascade en route to earning King’s its first state title in girls soccer.
While Nelson acknowledges his Wolves will be swinging at a big target, he expects them to do just that – come out swinging.
“Looking forward to the new conference,” he said. “It should be a little tougher competition overall, but I believe we will be right in there competing well with them.
“I would like to finish with a berth to the postseason,” Nelson added. “So, the season will be a success if we make postseason play.”
While the unexpected loss of Littlejohn, who scored 33 goals in three seasons, hurts, plenty of talent remains on the Wolf roster.
“We are returning quite a few starting varsity players in most positions on the field,” Nelson said. “We also have a number of players who played with a select team in the off-season.
“So, we have experience on our side this year.”
One area where the Wolves may need to shore things up is on the defensive side of the ball, an area Nelson is focusing on in the early days of practice.
“On the defensive side, while they are bringing some experience, this is where we have the least amount,” he said. “We will also be looking to incorporate some new players who look to be important to our team, but it can take a while for both the defense and the new players to fully integrate.”
Coupeville returns 13 players from a season ago, when it won eight games, the best single-season result in program history.
Senior midfielder Lindsey Roberts and senior goalie Sarah Wright, who share captain honors, top the roster, while defender Maddy Hilkey and midfielder Ema Smith also rep the Class of 2019.
Returning juniors include Tia Wurzrainer (defender), Natalie Hollrigel (defender), Avalon Renninger (midfielder), Mallory Korteum (midfielder), and Anna Dion (forward).
Sophomores Mollie Bailey (goalkeeper), Genna Wright (forward), Knight Arndt (midfielder), and Aurora Cernick (defender) round out the returning players.
Coupeville is also adding to its roster, with five freshmen and two newcomers jumping onto the pitch. That raises hopes the Wolves may be able to play some JV matches this year.
New to the CHS squad are sophomore defender Megan Behan, junior midfielder Casey Rogers and frosh Kiara Contreras (defender), Lily Leedy (midfielder), Katelin McCormick (defender), Mary Milnes (defender) and Sam Streitler (defender).
The Wolf booters open their season Thursday with an appearance at the Oak Harbor Jamboree (5:30 PM at Memorial Stadium), before traveling to Meridian Sept. 4 for the regular-season kickoff.
