Brynn Parker is back for another season of kicking the crud out of the soccer ball. (Jackie Saia photo)
It’s the start of a new era.
Former Wolf star Kimberly Kisch returns to the soccer pitch of her teen years starting Monday, making her debut as Coupeville High School’s new girls’ soccer coach.
She replaces Kyle Nelson, who retired after countless road trips to faraway destinations on school buses as his players serenaded him with Disney songs.
As Kisch steps into her new job, she’ll have a strong support staff, with Central Whidbey Soccer Club mainstays Darren Stafford and Bill Sites expected to join her.
“As a new coach I have realistic expectations for our first season together and I am unsure what the strength of our players will be,” Kisch said.
“I do, however, have amazing volunteers to help round out my coaching team,” she added.
“I believe that having a strong coaching team will be our biggest strength this season.”
The Wolves lost a chunk of players to graduation, including All-Conference booters Nezi Keiper and Carolyn Lhamon, but do retain their top offensive weapon in Ayden Wyman.
The Wolf junior has already rattled home 13 goals across her first two seasons, putting her in fifth place on the program’s all-time scoring chart.
Even better, Wyman is showing she is ready to step up and provide leadership to her teammates.
“Ayden has really caught my attention,” Kisch said.
“She took the initiative to hold summer practices all on her own! I am impressed by her passion and love of soccer.”
Wolf sharpshooter Ayden Wyman enjoys a sweet reward after terrorizing rival goaltenders. (Morgan White photo)
While Kisch won’t get a true feel for the strengths and weaknesses of her roster until practices begin, her hope is sparked by a potential influx of younger players.
“For promising newcomers, we have a few 8th graders that have shown interest in joining the high school team,” Kisch said.
“Among them is Devon Wyman, Ayden’s younger sister.
“She signed up as soon as I opened the team to 8th graders and has been attending the summer practices her sister has been organizing.”
The Wolves, along with Friday Harbor and La Conner, will likely be chasing defending Northwest 2B/1B League champs Mount Vernon Christian once league play starts.
“They (MVC) have built a solid foundation and have a fantastic program,” Kisch said.
However the roster sets up, the new CHS coach wants her players to hit the pitch with the same intensity she displayed back in the day.
“My goal is to spark excitement in a team that seems to have lost their fire,” Kisch said. “I love soccer and I want my girls to have a passion for it too.
“I also want them to love Coupeville as much as I do and be proud to represent their school.
“I hope that we can grow together as a team and a soccer family.”
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