Preston Epp is headed into his fifth, and final, season as a Wolf booter. (Jackie Saia photo)
They’re bringing everyone.
With the girls’ program sidelined by low turnout numbers, the Coupeville High School soccer team will be a co-ed one for the second straight season.
Wolf boys’ coach Robert Wood, who is headed into his fifth season at the helm, will continue to work with CHS girls’ pitch guru Kimberly Kisch, and the roster will be a mix.
Brynn Parker terrorizes a rival. (Jackie Saia photo)
Among the returning female players with previous co-ed experience are Ayden Wyman, Brynn Parker, and Frankie Tenore, while 8th grader sharpshooter Tamsin Ward headlines a group of very promising younger booters.
They’ll join a veteran team which boasts seven returning seniors, including two Wolves capping five-year runs in the red and black.
Preston Epp and Cael Wilson were the first 8th graders to take advantage of Coupeville’s move from 1A to 2B, immediately stepping on to the pitch while still CMS students.
Together, they’ve peppered rival goaltenders for 13 scores, while helping the Wolves bounce from one win to four, then five, and six during their time in uniform.
Coupeville went 6-6 last season, after starting 5-2, while playing in a very-tough nine-team “super conference” created by mixing five Northwest 2B/1B League rivals with four outsiders who join just for soccer.
The NWL has captured eight of the 12 trophies across the last three boys’ soccer state tourneys, with both Friday Harbor and Orcas Island winning titles.
Wolf senior Cael Wilson, who debuted as an 8th grader, has scored at least one goal in each of his four seasons. (Nick Guay photo)
Now the goal for Coupeville is to start strong again, then finisher stronger.
To get there, Wolf coaches will look for their veterans to lead the way.
“Athleticism is big this year, but the soccer IQ is also high with a big returning senior/junior class,” Wood said.
“Teamwork and tactics are better so far this year than in past — still really early,” he added.
“But there’s still an issue with myopic focus on the ball instead of quick play passing and moving the defense to solve an easier problem.”
With a co-ed roster, the Wolves are looking to add some JV games to their schedule and will kick off varsity play Wednesday with a non-conference road game at Auburn Adventist Academy.
After that, Coupeville is home for four of its next five, with a Saturday matinee against Crosspoint Academy offering the first chance for local fans to cram the stands at Mickey Clark Field.
Once again, Wood and Kisch will aim for building a winning mentality while getting both the boys’ and girls’ programs ready for the future.
“Focus is on enjoyment, culture, development, and marketing,” Wood said. “Always interested in soccer IQ and decision making while ensuring a high level of skill and technique.”
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