With a young team, this season should be one of “growth and experience” for the Coupeville High School soccer team, according to first-year coach Kyle Nelson.

The Wolves return only six lettermen: seniors Brent Arnold (defender), Jared Dickson (defender) and Sean Donley (midfielder); junior Joel Walstad (goalkeeper) and sophomores Zane Bundy (forward) and Tanner Kircher (defender).

Key newcomers, according to Nelson, are seniors Josiah Campbell (midfielder), Cameron Boyd (midfielder) and Jason Knoll (midfielder); junior Oscar Liquidano (midfielder); and sophomore Abraham Leyva Elenes (forward).

“While the team does not have a lot of players with varsity experience, we do have quite a bit of soccer experience,” Nelson said. “We have a good balance between offense and defense.”

He added that the team needs to “take the opportunity to learn and improve.”

“As we come together as a team we should see some success and continue to build off of those successes,” adding, “we will be looking to surprise some teams.”

Nelson expects Archbishop Murphy and Cedarcrest to be the powers of the Cascade Conference.

Coupeville hosts Lake Stevens and South Whidbey in a jamboree at Mickey Clark Field at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, then Friday Harbor visits at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18.