Senior defender Uriah Kastner is one of nine returning starters for the Coupeville High School boys soccer squad. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Freshman Xavier Murdy (left) leads a pack of promising newcomers.
It’s a whole new world.
When the Coupeville High School boys soccer team steps on the pitch this season, they’ll be in a new league, and powered by a new mix of players.
The jump from the Olympic League to the North Sound Conference brings a different set of rivals, including South Whidbey, which reached the state quarterfinals last season.
The Falcons upended Coupeville’s former #1 nemesis, Klahowya, in the first round of the state tourney, while new league opponent King’s fell a game short of advancing to state as well.
Toss in Sultan, Granite Falls, and Cedar Park Christian, and Coupeville’s 10-game league schedule gives the Wolves new challenges.
“It has been quite a few years since we have played any of the teams in our new league,” said CHS coach Kyle Nelson. “So it is hard to tell going in what the competition will really be like.
“My feeling is that the league will be competitive from top to bottom, with no easy wins for anybody,” he added. “I guess we will find out.”
Nelson enters his fifth season at the helm of the boys program, and his first without son William anchoring the team on the field.
A four-time First-Team All-Conference player, Will the Thrill and the rest of the Class of 2018 have left for college, jobs, and the real world.
Which doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare.
Most of the firepower is back, and still has multiple seasons to play, as the team’s leading scorers, junior cousins Derek and Aram Leyva, are still front and center.
In his first season in a Coupeville uniform, Derek torched the nets for a program-record 24 goals, while Aram tallied 13 during his sophomore campaign, running his career total to 19.
Both are chasing Aram’s older brother, Abraham, who hit the back of the net 45 times during his three-year run as a Wolf.
The Leyvas are part of a strong group of returning varsity starters, topped by seniors Dewitt Cole (goalie), Uriah Kastner (defender), and Teo Keilwitz (defender).
Juniors James Wood (midfielder) and Chris Cernick (midfielder) join the Leyvas, while sophomores Sam Wynn (defender) and Sage Downes (forward) are also back.
While it’s still early, and roles are in the process of being defined, several newcomers are expected to have an impact on this year’s squad.
Sophomore midfielder Alex Jimenez, junior defender Jonathan Partida, and junior goalie Simon Socha make the jump from JV, while sophomore defender Owen Barenburg and freshman midfielder Xavier Murdy top the newcomers.
However the lineup eventually shakes out, Nelson will have a team full of potential.
“We are returning some experience, but the core of our team will be juniors and sophomores,” he said. “So we will start the season a little young and not with experience in all parts of the field.
“On the flip side, I feel we are a well-balanced team that is bringing talent to all parts of the field, and should grow together throughout the season.”
While the goal-scoring aces are solid vets, the back part of the field is still a bit of a work in progress.
“On the defensive side, while they are bringing some experience, this is where we have the least amount,” Nelson said. “We will 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 opens the season with four non-league games, the first two at home (Mar. 9 vs. Chimacum and Mar. 11 vs. Mount Baker).
After that comes a stretch in which the Wolves play 10 of 11 matches against North Sound Conference foes.
As the 15-game regular season plays out, Nelson will be looking for improvement, with an eye on having his team playing at their best as the postseason nears.
“My goal is to form a well-organized, disciplined, exciting to watch squad,” he said. “I would like to finish with a winning record and a berth to the district playoffs.”
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