Coming off the best season in school history, the Coupeville High School boys soccer team looks to build upon that success this spring.

After going 8-6 in league in 2010, the Wolves rang up four post-season wins before losing to Overlake in the 16-team state 1A tournament.

Coach Paul Mendes said, “We believe we can continue to make history, improve our performance in our strong league, get to the state tournament and take the Coupeville flag further up the mountain.”

Coupeville graduated a strong group of players in 2010, including five who received Cascade Conference honors, but Mendes doesn’t see this as a rebuilding year: “This is the largest group of seniors we have had in the short history of the program. They have set a good tone in practices so far, primarily leading by example. They are a well-balanced group, hungry to get their final chance at bringing glory to their school. This also is a strong, physical, no frills group. It has not felt like a rebuilding year so far.”

He added, “Our senior core should be our strength this year.”

That senior group,  Mendes said,  includes  Jack Casselden, Ben Hayes, Grayson Knott, Nevin Miranda, Andre Stone, Isaac Wacker and Nathan Lamb.

Coupeville starts the season today, March 12, at Port Townsend at 2 p.m.  The league and home opener is with Archbishop Thomas Murphy Tuesday, March 22, at 6 p.m.. Mendes sees ATM, King’s and Cedarcrest as the greatest Cascade Conference challenges this spring.