McKenzie Meyer unloads a bomb. (John Fisken photos)
Ana Luvera shoots the ball ahead.
Ivy Luvera dances up-field with the ball.
Bree Daigneault glides into action.
It was the best season in program history.
While a playoff loss to Vashon Island stung, it doesn’t negate what came before, as the Coupeville High School girls’ soccer team finished 6-7-1, claiming second place in its first year in the Olympic League.
From seasoned seniors like Micky LeVine and Jacki Ginnings to impressive freshman such as Mia Littlejohn and Lauren Bayne, the Wolves were a talented, entertaining bunch.
In the moments after the playoffs, CHS coach Troy Cowan reflected on his second season at the helm of the Wolf program:
The Wolves played hard and never quit, which has been a common trait all year!
Captain and four-year varsity starter Erin Rosenkranz played extremely well; she was our spark plug today.
When we were able to make runs, Erin was the catalyst that would initiate our offense and get the ball to her teammates.
I am very proud of Erin and honored to have coached her for the past two seasons. She is a remarkable young lady.
Julia Myers played fantastic.
She has just grown leaps and bounds this year and I couldn’t be happier with her play all season. She was animated, vocal and led the team with her positive attitude.
I don’t have all the stats from the season totaled yet, but I do know Julia has at least 86 saves, while supplying five shut-outs for CHS.
Having seen some great goalkeepers, I am confident when I say Julia Myers is the BEST goalkeeper in our conference; Julia is the ultimate team player!
We have spent the entire season tweaking, interchanging, training and re-training our defense.
When any team loses their two top defensive players (Jacki Ginnings and Jenn Spark) to injuries, it can and will cause some serious issues, but we didn’t panic.
We made adjustments, moved some players around and stayed true to our philosophy of playing defense inside-out.
Led by four-year varsity starter Ivy Luvera, our defense stayed strong and had an outstanding season.
Christine Fields, Mia Littlejohn and Mckenzie Meyer were the backbone of our team and had spectacular seasons.
Ana Luvera, Micky LeVine, Marisa Etzell, Bree Daigneault and Sage Renninger are the hardest working, committed and offensively minded players I have worked with.
These fine young ladies did everything I asked and more. Couldn’t be prouder of them and am extremely thankful for the time and dedication they gave to the program and to each other.
The future of CHS girls’ soccer program is bright!
We have some young, talented players that are hungry for time on the pitch and that are eager to learn and perform.
Jennifer Spark is our only captain now and she is up to the challenge.
Jennifer is recovering from MCL/ACL surgery, but made the LONG trip for our first district HOME match and made it on to the field, albeit sitting in a wheelchair.
Jennifer and I talk frequently and we are both optimistic and excited about next season.
Kirsten Pelroy, May Rose, Tia Rose, Lauren Bayne and Ashley Smith all made huge strides in improving their play and will be impact players next season.
I also need to mention our foreign exchange student, Hanna Seiffert.
Hanna was a real treat; she has a great sense of humor and played hard for the Lady Wolves.
Nicknamed, the “German Missile” by Coach Gary Manker because of her deceptive speed and explosive style of play, she will be missed.
On the bus driving 90 minutes to our “home” match, I told the girls how lucky we were.
Oak Harbor’s soccer team was probably home in bed, South Whidbey’s girls’ soccer team was probably doing the same, but Coupeville’s soccer team was on the pitch still playing!!!
Today, right now, CHS is the BEST soccer team on the Island and that says a lot!
