DISTRICT SOCCER: Port Angeles’ Delaney Wenzl indispensable for Roughriders

PORT ANGELES — Wearing a Superman t-shirt to the Port Angeles girls soccer team’s recent senior-led practice (complete with Halloween costumes for each player and coach) wasn’t junior Delaney Wenzl’s first choice.

Wenzl had planned to be either Dwight Schrute or Angela Martin from the TV show The Office along with teammate Bella Money, but Money is out with a concussion and Wenzl had to improvise.

But it turns out her backup costume was an apt characterization, nonetheless.

Wenzl may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound — even though she’s a state-quality triple jumper in track season.

Her free kicks aren’t quite as powerful as a locomotive — but she possesses the pace and touch to be a threat every time she approaches the ball.

Wenzl is one of the fastest players on the team, maybe not speeding-bullet fast, but she’s been a stalwart member of a Roughriders team that is seeking its third straight trip to the Class 2A State Tournament.

That journey will start — and could end with a loss — in the district playoffs Saturday at 4 p.m. at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma against the loser of Thursday’s late game between Fife (15-2-1) and Tyee (13-5-0).

“Delaney has been the utility infielder of our team taking over positions as the team needs and filling roles that nobody else can do,” Port Angeles coach Scott Moseley said.

“She has already played most positions, including goalkeeper. She is interchangable for us.

“She’s the perfect team player in that she’ll do whatever it takes for the team and a smart enough player to fit into whatever role we ask of her.”

Wenzl said she’s happy to do what the team needs.

I don’t really have a specific place to play, I kind of go where we need a player,” she said.

“I try to set a good example. You don’t want people to limit themselves to one thing, you want them to be open-minded to anything. Don’t hold yourself back just by the position you play.

“My main starting position is central mid[fielder] this year, but I’ve moved back to defense, so when Teagen [Clark] has something going on I’ve moved back there. And I’ve played striker, and one game I played goalie. I’m the backup goalie, so it was good to get some minutes.”

A two-time Peninsula Daily News All-Peninsula Girls Soccer team member, Wenzl’s importance to the team hasn’t changed even if her game-to-game responsibilities vary.

“I’ve had to adjust, but I played right back last season, so I’m not sure how I got as many goals as I did last year (10),” said Wenzl, who has three goals this season.

“I’ve definitely been going defensive this year, kind of holding down the midfield and looking for more through balls.”

“We have fewer players that we can slot into different positions, so Delaney has had to play certain positions as opposed to giving her more free reign,” Moseley said. “She could combine more last season.

“She’s done other things for the team instead of scoring goals.”

And Wenzl also has been tasked with stopping the opposition’s best, such as when Port Angeles played Olympic, led by speedy striker Hannah Troy, fourth in Class 2A in the 100 meters last spring.

And if the Riders need to shut down an opposition striker in the playoffs, Wenzl will be deputized to mark that player defensively.

“She will be as we move into the postseason if we play somebody we need to worry about,” Moseley said.

When asked to pinpoint her strengths on the field, Wenzl pointed to a powerful leg and some swift feet.

“I think so, there are definitely a few girls that are equal or right there and I guess I’m up there because I take a lot of the free kicks,” Wenzl said when asked if she had the strongest leg on the team. “Another aspect, I have some speed, I run track, and it helps to have that when needed. If I’m on defense and I have to go into a foot race, the coaches trust me because they know I can keep up.”

Moseley said that Wenzl, now in her third year as a starter, has grown as a player each year.

“In her leadership, in her interactions with the coaches and the team,” Moseley said. “Just being really confident but still having a big smile and a great attitude.

“Even [Tuesday night] after the game, a disappointing loss (3-1 to Olympic), and I went over to say goodbye to my brother. And the team, they call me Mose, and they saw that and they asked, ‘Is that Big Mose and you are Little Mose?’ And then Delaney said, ‘It’s Mose Dog and Mose Puppy,’ and there was laughter. So even when we are upset after a tough defeat, she’s able to make a fun joke and make us laugh.”

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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.