Solomon Rudat fights for a ball. (Julie Wheat photos)
They’re ready to go back into the fire.
Led by a trio of battle-hardened seniors and a pack of promising younger players, the Coupeville High School boys’ soccer squad is set to once again wage war as a member of the best pitch conference in the state.
The Northwest 2B/1B League has brought home four of the last five boys’ soccer state titles in its classifications, while claiming 13 of the 20 top four trophies handed out since the sport returned to the field after the pandemic shutdown.
Orcas Island is the King Kong of the region, having won back-to-back crowns to go with a title from 2021.
Overall, the Vikings have played in five consecutive state title games, with one of its two losses in those clashes coming to league mate Friday Harbor in 2022.
Toss in Providence Classical Christian (2nd, 3rd, and 4th), Mount Vernon Christian (3rd and 4th), Lopez Island (2nd), and a 4th place finish by Friday Harbor in 2021, and half the NWL has earned a state trophy sometime during the last five seasons.
On the outside looking in, ready to crash the party?
La Conner, Grace Academy, Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood, newcomer Evangel Classical, and, of course, Coupeville.
The Wolves, who were in contention for a playoff berth until the final day of the campaign last year, return almost their entire team, with seniors Sage Arends, Solomon Rudat, and Sam Richards slated to anchor things.
Arends, who peppered the net for seven goals as a junior, enters his final high school season with 10 scores to his credit, while Rudat will patrol the pitch as a center midfielder and Richards returns as Coupeville’s primary goaltender.
Sage Arends leads the charge.
“Most of last year’s team returned, giving us a strong base,” said second-year CHS coach Jim Kunz.
“We (also) have some experienced players stepping into high school soccer for the first time.
“(Sophomore) Chayse Van Velkinburgh is a talented player that recently returned to Coupeville. We also have promising 8th graders that turned out.”
The Wolves have a 15-game schedule — with the first five being “non-league” tuneups against conference foes — kicking things off with three straight clashes on their home pitch.
First up is Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood, which travels to Whidbey September 11. That will be a Friday Night Lights special, set to tip at 6:00 PM, and free to the public.
Fans can expect to see a well-conditioned Coupeville squad, Kunz said.
“We need to increase our fitness and teamwork. Most of this team has been playing together for many years, so they’re very cohesive.
“We’re working on knowing when to shoot and putting it on goal,” Kunz added. “Last year we had too many shots not on point.
The big two loom large, but the Wolves will face a stiff fight every time they take the pitch and will be prepared for it.
“Orcas and Friday Harbor have diverse teams. We’ll be adjusting our play for those games,” Kunz said.
“Last year we knocked on the door to playoffs. This year the team is determined to make it.”
