Several factors point to a successful season for the Coupeville High School soccer team.
First, the Wolves return a bevy of lettermen: seniors Colin Belliveau, Josh Datin, Ryan Freeman, Keegan Korteum, Oscar Liquidano, Joel Walstad and Aaron Wright; juniors Zane Bundy, Tanner Kircher, Abraham Leyva Elenes, Connor McCormick and Loren Nelson; and sophomore Uriel Liquidano.
Leyva Elenes, who led the team in scoring last year, was second-team, all-conference in 2014.
Key newcomers, according to coach Kyle Nelson, are juniors Garrett Compton and Cody Menges and freshman William Nelson.
“We have many returning players with varsity experience,” coach Nelson said. “We will be building from where we were last year.”
Second, Coupeville will play in the 1A Olympic League this season and not the Cascade Conference, which includes 2A schools.
“I think, in general, we will be able to compete a little better,” Nelson said. “The level of play between the teams should be more even, meaning probably more close, exciting games this year.”
Third, Nelson, in his second year, has benefited from a year at the helm.
“Just having a year’s worth of experience helps,” he said. “I am starting the year better prepared and with a more complete vision of what I want us to accomplish.”
The positives make qualifying for the playoffs a reasonable goal, Nelson said. “I fully expect to have some postseason play this year.
“With the way the District 3 tournament is set, I believe we will have a good opportunity for some success.”
To reach the goal, the Wolves will need to quiet several concerns, according to Nelson.
“We are still coming together as a team. Some guys are playing in new positions, so we need some time to learn new roles and responsibilities.”
Also, the shift to the Olympic League will be a “big adjustment” and bring “a lot of unknowns.”
The Wolves, who were 5-10-2 in 2014, will host South Whidbey and Lake Stevens in a jamboree at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14.
The first match is at 5:15 p.m. at Sequim Tuesday, March 17, and the home opener is at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, with South Whidbey.
