Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Robert Wood’

Booters lose leader

Posted in Boys Soccer, tagged , , , , on March 26, 2025| 1 Comment »

Robert Wood strolls the sideline. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

He kept the program operating through a pandemic, but now the time has come to depart the soccer pitch.

On a full-time basis, at least.

Coupeville High School head boys’ soccer coach Robert Wood has tendered his resignation after five seasons at the helm.

The decision is based on “new job and family commitments (which) require too much time away to continue as head coach.”

Wood pledged he’d still be around and volunteer when able.

He issued the following letter to parents, players, and team supporters:

After a long debate and careful consideration, I send you this note announcing my intent to resign as the head coach for CHS Soccer.

I have a new job since December 2024, and over the past few months it’s become clear that the increased regular travel requirements along with expanded daily commitments will prohibit me from giving the team everything you deserve.

It is not fair to you as a player, the team, nor all the families for me to hold the position and not be able to give it the attention required.

As you can imagine, this decision was not easy to come by as I’ve given so much energy and emotion to building our program over the past 15 years.

Working with CWSC and studying under the previous CHS soccer coaches has been such a rewarding experience.

Every player, every coach, every member of the staff at CHS (in particular Mrs. Ford, who supported me to no end with a smile and the utmost grace) have helped me create a truly unique soccer culture in Coupeville.

I am eternally grateful to the support and trust everyone has given me over the years.

As I step down as the head coach, please realize this opens up a great opportunity for new ideas and new leadership at a time when our sport is rising in popularity and our team culture exudes a rapport envied by every other school in our league. 

Rest assured that I will be supporting the team as a volunteer when my time allows, and I will be participating in the transition and installment of new leadership for the team.

Thank you for the time you have given me.

All my best.

Wood started with CHS soccer as an assistant coach, then stepped up to become head coach when Kyle Nelson retired.

His first year in charge of the boys’ program in 2020 presented multiple issues, with an ongoing pandemic and a struggle to keep a viable roster going.

Wood succeeded in keeping soccer alive, even as boys’ tennis fell by the wayside in Coupeville, and the Wolf booters increased their win total in each of his seasons while playing in the premier 2B/1B league for the sport in Washington state.

Read Full Post »

Canes nip Wolves in pitch thriller

Posted in soccer, tagged , , , , , on September 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Wolf booters fuel up after a strong effort on the pitch. (Kimberly Kisch photo)

They held their own, which is saying a lot.

Facing off with an undefeated Mount Vernon Christian boys’ soccer team on its home field Tuesday, the Coupeville High School co-ed squad narrowly lost a 1-0 nail-biter.

The non-conference loss to a league rival drops the Wolves to 1-3-1 on the season, while the Hurricanes get to 4-0-1.

The two teams will tangle again later this season, when MVC comes to Coupeville Oct. 18 for a rematch. That tilt will count in the conference standings.

The Wolves, who were playing down several players, still came with a strong performance on the rival pitch, said CHS coach Robert Wood.

“We played a really good game considering our injuries,” he said. “Mostly defensive, but really good counter attacking strategies.

“Defense was great; everyone we played back there did a great job.”

MVC, which has outscored its foes 12-3 in the early going of the 2024 campaign, netted the game’s lone score on a well-executed shot which found its way through a small gap in the defense.

“Their goal was from 20 yards outside the box, well hit, to the upper corner of the goal,” Wood said. “Impressive.”

Hurlee Bronec and his compadres will play at home under Friday Night Lights. (Jackie Saia photo)

Coupeville returns to action this Friday, Sept. 27, when it hosts La Conner in a game set to kick off at 6:00 PM at Mickey Clark Field. Admission is free.

That clash will be another non-conference game against a league foe, as Northwest 2B/1B League soccer teams fill out their early schedule with such affairs.

CHS begins actual league play Oct. 11, with the final eight games of the season determining playoff slots.

Read Full Post »

Wolf soccer wants you!

Posted in soccer, tagged , , , , on June 4, 2024| Leave a Comment »

CHS soccer coach Kimberly Kisch wants to see you on the pitch. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The Beautiful Game calls to you.

Coupeville students heading into grades 8-12 are invited to swing by the CHS commons Wednesday between 2:00-3:30 PM to get info on playing soccer for the Wolves.

Coaches Kimberly Kisch and Robert Wood will be on hand to answer questions and hand out fliers with info on summer and fall schedules, and players can get in the loop early.

Whether you’re a returning player or a first timer, this is a great opportunity to join a program on the rise.

With Coupeville being a 2B school, eighth graders are eligible to play for the high school while still attending middle school, giving younger players a chance to put together a five-year prep career on the pitch.

The Wolves hope to pick up enough female players to return to having two separate squads in the fall after playing as a co-ed team last season.

Read Full Post »

Wolf soccer teams unite

Posted in soccer, tagged , , , , , on August 31, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville soccer fans like Madison McMillan (left) and Jada Heaton get a 2-for-1 deal, with Wolf booters joining together to form co-ed teams in 2023. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The tribes are merging.

In the wake of Coupeville High School cancelling its varsity girls’ soccer schedule due to a lack of players, those booters who did turn out will unite with their male counterparts to form a co-ed program.

The revamped Wolves will feature both varsity and JV teams, with player placement based on “game skill, determination, and leadership skills,” said girls’ coach Kimberly Kisch.

The set-up, which is only in place for the 2023 season at this point, will play against boys’ teams from the Northwest 2B/1B League.

Several of Coupeville’s rivals, such as Lopez Island, have fielded co-ed teams in previous seasons.

Schools at the 2B or 1B classification are allowed to use female players on male teams, if the school doesn’t have an active girls’ program in that sport.

For the Wolves, early practices drew 10 female players, while CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith stipulated the program needed 15 to be viable.

When it became apparent Coupeville couldn’t get to that number, the painful decision was made to cancel the varsity season for a girls’ program which has played 19 consecutive seasons since launching in 2004.

Smith and Kisch discussed other options, such as having the Wolves play a JV-only schedule, but that would likely require 7 v 7 games instead of the standard 11 v 11, with a very-limited set of opponents.

After consultation with CHS boys’ coach Robert Wood, the decision was handed to the players.

“After many discussions, team votes, and meetings, we decided we will merge our girls’ team with the boys,” Kisch said. “Ultimately we left the decision up to the team and they feel that this is the best option.”

Both coaches are intrigued by the possibilities of the new set-up, which will give Wolf girls a chance to keep their program alive, while adding a new wrinkle to the boys team.

“I truly believe that this will be a fantastic learning experience for all involved,” Kisch said. “Our coaching team is prepared to coordinate and organize a large team.

“We will have plenty of players for a first and second team, while also giving everyone plenty of field time.”

Wood, who has floated the idea of calling the unity team “CHS FC,” is raring to go with the Wolves set to open the season Sept. 12 at home against defending 2B/1B boys state champ Friday Harbor.

“One academy, with a first and second team,” he said. “Dreams do come true!”

Read Full Post »

Be the best? Beat the best!

Posted in Boys Soccer, tagged , , , , on August 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Senior Nick Guay leads all active CHS boys’ soccer players in career scoring, having tallied eight goals. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

“It’s time to play to win!”

Clashing with teams in the Northwest 2B/1B League, home of the last two state champs, the Coupeville High School boys’ soccer squad has its work cut out for it.

Even more this year, with District 1 seeing its tickets to the big dance cut from four to three.

But Coupeville coach Robert Wood is making no excuses.

While he lost four seniors to graduation, including leading scorer Aidan Wilson, the Wolves have one of their most-solid rosters in years.

Better yet, it’s full of players with experience from playing under fire against state champs Friday Harbor and Orcas Island, as well as other top NWL programs.

“We have a solid number of players — finally — a foundation of skill and drive and focus, and an injection of energy and talent,” Wood said.

Coupeville returns 11 of a possible 12 players, while also picking up a strong group of newcomers.

“Four freshmen already making an impact at practice, showing the seniors they want their spot!” Wood said. “Plus, two transfers from the football program showing the same intent.”

With the first week of practice unfolding, the Wolves are trying different looks and lineups to see what clicks.

“Formation and positions are still being determined,” Wood said. “Strengths and weaknesses are still being determined, but our talent and camaraderie are both sure to help the team grow together and succeed.”

Cole White, here dancing with the soccer ball, returns for his senior season. (Morgan White photo)

Coupeville went 5-9 last year, falling to Summit Atlas in the district playoffs.

Early in the season, they shocked Friday Harbor 3-1 at Mickey Clark Field, handing the eventual state champs one of only two losses the Wolverines suffered during their golden season.

Key to that victory was following Wood’s teachings about playing as one unit.

“Teamwork and patience is always the focus of our work,” he said. “Soccer is a game of chess on a very large field.

“The game itself is the ultimate teacher,” Wood added. “And if you’re not willing to learn then it is not only blatantly obvious, but the team suffers.”

Coupeville has a 12-game slate this season, with all games against NWL foes, though the first four will be counted as non-league clashes.

The Wolves play five of their first seven at home, before wrapping things up with four of five on the road.

Of those home games, four will be played on Friday night in prime time, with Coupeville’s football team making trips off of Whidbey Island those same evenings.

CHS doesn’t charge admission for soccer, with Sept. 15 (Providence Classical Christian), Sept. 29 (Cedar Park Christian), Oct. 6 (Grace Academy) and Oct. 20 (La Conner) an ideal chance for Wolf fans to support their pitch program.

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »