Jenn Spark is back, healthy and ready to lead the Wolf booters. (John Fisken photos)
Bree Daigneault (#17) will be a captain this season.
The brightest bit of news from the first week of practice for the Coupeville High School girls’ soccer squad was the return of senior spark-plug Jenn Spark.
The defensive whiz kid with the booming clearing kick suffered a devastating MCL/ACL injury and missed most of her junior campaign, but is back to lead a young Wolf squad into a new season.
“Jennifer has been working hard and I expect great things from her and she expects great things from herself,” Wolf coach Troy Cowan said. “She will take the helm of our defense as our “sweeper.” Welcome back Cap!”
Coupeville, which went 6-7-1 and finished second in the 1A Olympic League last season, will face an uphill battle in 2015.
League rival Klahowya is the defending 1A state champ, and while it lost its top two players, McKenzie Cook and Izzy Severns, to graduation, the Eagles are still stacked.
“Tough team to deal with, lots of talented players on the pitch and a coach that is always well prepared and has a bench full of starters!,” Cowan said. “We will do our best and give them everything we have, no excuses and no backing down.”
While the Wolves lost eight players to graduation, Spark will have some familiar running mates and a strong group of promising freshmen will be fighting for immediate playing time.
Sophomore Mia Littlejohn is the top returning scorer, having netted three goals while winning Rookie of the Year honors last season.
“Mia’s versatility allowed her to play goalie to forward for CHS last year, but after an extremely successful European soccer tour, Mia’s offensive prowess will be on display full time this season!,” Cowan said. “No net will be safe this season, ciao…”
Junior Bree Daigneault and sophomore Sage Renninger (“she hasn’t missed a beat and her shot is better than ever”) join Spark and Littlejohn at the forefront, with Daigneault being named a team captain.
“I think Bree has surprised me the most. She really worked hard since last year and has transformed herself into something special,” Cowan said. “Not only is she a much more physically dominating player, but her leadership is profoundly distinctive and magnanimous.
“Bree has added quickness and ball control to her game,” he added. “She really came out of the gate on fire and hasn’t looked back.”
Two youngsters expected to make an immediate impact are freshmen Kalia Littlejohn and Lindsey Roberts.
“Kalia will be fun to watch this season, so everyone better come early because you may not want to miss the show this young striker is going to put on!,” Cowan said. “Not to be outdone, Lindsey has turned her golden track shoes in for spiked soccer cleats and we have been picking up the bodies ever since.
“This young, defensive-minded speedster with power in both legs has been anything but freshman like! Just dangerous.”
While the Wolves will miss the veterans lost to graduation, Cowan looks to the future, and sees a bright one.
“Our goals are simple; Stay positive, improve each and every half, give 100% effort, and never, ever quit!,” he said. “We are going to focus on what we can control and manage what we can’t!
“Our team strengths are our youthfulness and our high energy,” Cowan added. “We are very young and have some players with a lot of energy. We will be looking to capitalize on that energy and use it to gain momentum and turn it into our advantage.”
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