Port Angeles (2A)
■ Coach: Scott Moseley (third year).
■ Last year: 3-5-0 in Olympic League (sixth), 8-8-0 overall; eliminated in 2A subdistrict playoffs.
■ Returning contributors: Brittany McBride (So., F), Kearsten Cox (Sr., GK), Kathryn Moseley (Sr., MF/F), Paxton Rodocker (Sr., D), Karina Bohman (So., D), Kylee Jeffers (So., MF), Tori Holcomb (Sr., D/GK), Kaitlin Boston (So., MF/F)
■ Top newcomers: Tiffany Tate (Sr., GK), McKayla Cox (So., MF)
■ Player to watch: Kathryn Moseley
The Riders’ leading playmaker (11 goals, nine assists in ’10) is a two-time all-league selection.
■ Outlook: The Roughriders came within a penalty shootout of their first state trip in 24 years last fall.
Coach Moseley’s two Rider teams have won as many games in the past two seasons (14) as the previous seven combined.
With eight of 11 starters returning — a group that accounted for 33 of 39 Rider goals in 2010 — they’re hoping to continue the program’s upward trajectory.
“The goal is to make it to the postseason for the third year in a row, which would be the first time since the ’80s that the program has done that,” coach Moseley said. “[The] ultimate goal is to qualify for the state tournament.
“To meet that goal we will need to stay healthy. We would like more depth at some positions, but overall have a nice mix of veteran and youth talent.”
Sequim (2A)
■ Coach: Molly McAleer (second year).
■ Last year: 0-8-0 in Olympic League (ninth), 1-13-0 overall; missed playoffs.
■ Returning contributors: Kristin Phifer (Sr., MF), Loran Steichen (Sr., D), Makayla Bentz (So., F), Vianey Cadenas (So., MF), Sarah Marble (Sr., D), Leslie Cisneros (So., F).
■ Top newcomers: Maeve Harris (Fr.), Shelby Lott, (Fr.), Nikki Nace (Sr.).
■ Player to watch: Nikki Nace.
■ Outlook: A renewed interest in soccer has the struggling Wolves soccer program hoping for a turnaround.
Coach McAleer had a total of 47 athletes turn out for soccer this fall, including 15 returning varsity players from last year’s squad.
“We are planning to play this season with tight defense,” coach McAleer said. “Good attitudes and teamwork are among our expectations for the season.
“We’re doing team building activities to achieve this goal.”
Port Townsend (1A)
■ Coach: Ryan Moss (first year).
■ Last year: 5-3-0 in Olympic League (fourth), 10-7-0 overall; eliminated at 1A tri-district.
■ Returning contributors: Megan Gambill (Sr., D), Audrey McHugh (Sr., MF), Irina Lyons (Jr., F), Jewel Johnson (So., F), Chelsea Whipple (Sr., D), Alex Akins (Jr., D), Taylor Mills (Sr., MF).
■ Top newcomers: Malia Henderson (Fr., GK), Amelia Hemsley (Fr., D), Lily Murock (So., MF).
■ Player to watch: Malia Henderson.
The freshman goalkeeper has already turned heads early on this season.
■ Outlook: New head coach Ryan Moss is hoping to bring disciplined, possession soccer the Redskins.
A certified personal trainer and former college player — Moss played two years at Pierce College and one at San Diego State — he’s also putting a strong emphasis on fitness.
“This is a very dedicated and disciplined group,” Moss said.
“They are training outside their comfort zones and pushing each other to the limit. Improvement has been noted each and everyday. If we continue to train and compete at this level, we will be a force to be reckoned with.”
The Redskins lost several starters from last fall but return co-Olympic League MVP Irina Lyons.
“My expectations for this year are to be competitive with all teams we play in league regardless of the school’s classification and to also make it to state,” Moss said.
Chimacum (1A)
■ Coach: Stan Berdinner (eighth year).
■ Last year: 1-11-0 in 1A Nisqually League, 2-13-0 overall; missed playoffs.
■ Returning contributors: Emma King (Sr., F), MaryJane Richardson (Jr., D/GK).
■ Top newcomers: Darby Kelly (Jr., MF), Alisha Leoso (Fr., F), Rosie Wilcox (Fr., MF/D), Ashley Kelly (Fr., MF/D).
■ Player to watch: Who knows?
The Cowboys are looking for someone to step in and take a leadership role.
■ Outlook: The Cowboys have missed the playoffs two seasons in a row after peaking in 2008.
Now they are building to the future after seeing several players graduate from last year’s squad.
“We have a lot of inexperience in the team this year and a small squad, so our focus will be to keep healthy and work on improving as the season goes along,” coach Berdinner said.
“This is a re-building effort, with many new faces and five freshmen, so we will be a work in progress.”
Forks (1A)
■ Coach: Andrew Peterson (first year).
■ Last year: 0-14-0 in SWL Evergreen Division (eighth) and overall; missed playoffs
■ Returning contributors: Alvina Carter (Sr., MF), Anastasia Fleck (Jr., GK/MF), Leah Harris (Jr., MF), Jessica Kenney (Jr., D), Kaylea Kraft (Jr., MF/D), Stevi Martinez-Jewett (Jr., D), Sierra Noles (Sr., MF), Micki Villicana (So. F)
■ Top newcomers: Sarah Cline (Fr., F), Brooke Peterson (Fr., MF), Tristina Smith (Fr., MF)
■ Player to watch: Sierra Noles.
■ Outlook: Forks’ girls soccer struggles continued in last fall’s winless campaign, one that ended with just 11 players on roster.
Now former Forks football coach Andrew Peterson takes the reins to try and turn around a program that has just one win in eight seasons. With 20 girls coming out for the team, including nine freshmen, he’s off to a good start.
“We are in a true rebuilding situation this year,” Peterson said.
“I just want us to get better every time we hit the field. The attitude of the girls is extremely positive, and they seem to be very committed to getting better.
“Forks soccer has only one win in the program’s history, so getting the girls to believe in themselves and work as a team and work on fundamentals is a major focus this season.”
