PORT ANGELES – The Peninsula Pirates are reloading in an effort to win their sixth consecutive women’s soccer region championship.
Head coach Kanyon Anderson and new assistant Dana De Vaughn have already signed 11 players to a roster that already is loaded with returning talent.
“This recruiting class strikes me as one of the most tenacious and cerebral groups we’ve ever brought in,” Anderson said.
“We will be able to try a few new things tactically, and we will have the toughness to make sure that we are competitive, even when things aren’t going our way.”
The Northwest Athletic Conference’s North Region Coach of the Year said his 2016 recruiting class is very similar to one he had in 2011, calling them “tough, no-nonsense, competitive and strong.”
“That group went on to win back-to-back division championships and an NWAC title,” Anderson said.
“I think this recruiting class, paired with a wonderful returning core, will be very good. I am excited to coach them.”
Here is a look at the newest Pirates:
■ Malia Brudvik, Defender (Auburn) — Auburn Mountainview High School; Rainier Valley Slammers Soccer Club.
A four-year varsity player at Auburn Mountainview, where she was named first-team all-league, Defensive MVP and team captain. She also was voted Best XI in the President’s Cup. She has a 3.6 grade point average.
“Malia is a brave, intelligent defender,” Anderson said.
“She is comfortable with the ball at her feet and she is intelligent. I am excited to see her game develop at the college level because she is a player who has the mind to out-think many on the field.
“I see her using her mental and physical gifts to win the ball and turn defense into attack.
“She comes from a club that develops the whole player, which will give her a big jump in her freshman year.”
■ Emilee Greve, Midfielder (Auburn) — Auburn Mountainview High School; Rainier Valley Slammers Soccer Club.
Like Brudvik, Greve also played four years of varsity at Auburn Mountainview. She was first-team all-League in the midfield, a team captain, and also was voted Best XI in the President’s Cup. She is an honors student.
“Emilee is both technically sound and tactically aware,” Anderson said. “In addition, she has the strength to win tackles in the midfield and the mobility to put herself in the right position.
“What makes her truly unique though is her ripping shot, which I have seen her use very effectively. She will be a weapon from distance all season.
“I am also impressed by Emilee’s substantial improvement over the last six months. She is good already and only getting better.”
■ Tatiana Hagan, Midfielder (Reno, Nev.) — Galena High School; Nomads Soccer Club.
The younger sister of Pirates standout Tori Hagen was a four-year varsity letter winner, three-time all-league player as both a midfielder and a striker, and a team captain. She also is national club team runner-up and Davis Showcase champion.
She received a community service award and currently has a 3.7 grade point average.
“Tati is a quick, athletic player with a knack for finding gaps in the opposing defense,” Anderson said.
“She has a keen awareness for how to find the soft spots and play make in those spaces.
“Her touch on the ball allows her to keep things close to her foot so that when a teammate breaks free she can deliver an accurate ball.
“Because her older sister, Tori, has been a star here, I know Tati is willing to put in the hard work required to succeed.”
■ Kelly Kevershan, Striker (Tuscon, Ariz.) — Canyon del Oro High School; Canyon del Oro Soccer Club.
A four-year varsity player and team MVP. She was awarded Best Attacking Player and was team captain.
She served as vice president of her high school science club, and is sporting a weighted grade point average of 4.6.
“Kelly is a clever and skilled attacker,” Anderson said.
“She has the ability to weave through defenses without having to commit to one idea. She can hold several possibilities in her mind as she advances the ball and is able to make the decision that best benefits the attack.
“This ability will allow us to put the ball on Kelly’s foot and trust that she will help us transition smoothly.
“Her teammates are going to benefit from having Kelly on the field, and I expect her to help create many goals.”
■ Jayna Morikawa, Midfielder (Mililani, Hawaii) — Mililani High School; Hawaii Rush Soccer Club.
A two time all-league selection at Mililani High School, which won the 2015 state championship and placed second in 2016.
She boasts a 3.9 grade point average.
“When I first saw Jayna play, I was impressed with her ability to attack down the wing and deliver accurate, intelligent passes into the box,” Anderson said.
“She has also shown a willingness to defend with dedication and a knack for advancing the ball off the dribble.
“She was recruited by a strong local D-II program, but fortunately for us, she decided to become the next in a long line of talented Hawaiian recruits.
“She will make those around her better, and there really is no higher praise for a player.”
■ Maddy Parton, Striker (Leavenworth) — Cascade High School; Wenatchee Fire Soccer Club.
The all-time leading scorer in Cascade High School history, Parton is a three-time first-team all-league striker, two-time league MVP and first-team All-State. She led her team to a second-place finish at the 1A state tournament, and sports a 3.5 grade point average.
“Maddy is a high-level athlete with a good feel for the game,” Anderson said. “She is quick laterally, very strong and very fast.
“She spent a lot of time getting behind defenses in high school and will do the same at the college level.
“She played for Glen Stafanko for the past four years, so she has an understanding of the overall game and she has all the tools to make the spectacular play in the one-on-one situation.”
■ Sarah Reiber, Midfielder (Yakima) — Davis High School; Eastside Football Club.
Reiber was varsity all four years at Davis High School. The 20-goal scorer was a two-time all-league selection and was twice named team captain. She ranks in the top-30 of her senior class with a 3.5 grade point average.
“I saw Sarah play last summer and was immediately impressed by her athleticism and explosiveness,” Anderson said.
“Since then I have been impressed with her work rate in the midfield and her willingness to do the hard work to disrupt the opposing attack.
“That alone is enough to make her valuable, but she has an ability to go forward on the dribble and the vision to set her teammates up.
“Sarah will bring the toughness and selflessness every good team needs.”
■ Emelie Small, Defender (Reno, Nev.) — Reno High School; Nomads Soccer Club.
The younger sister of Pirates starter Ellie Small was a four-year starter, three-time all-league defender and team MVP.
Her club team, the Nomads, placed second at Nationals, and she is both an Honors and AP student with a 3.9 grade point average.
“Emelie is a hard-nosed, hard-tackling defender,” Anderson said.
“She will help us solidify a back line that has led the league in goals against for the last two years, and with her back there, we will have no drop off at all.
“Emelie has the skill to move higher up the field as well, which could give her an opportunity to play next to her sister, Ellie, who will be a sophomore next year.
“Emelie is going to bring a great energy to everything she does and will be successful right away.”
■ Isabel Vega, Defender (Reno, Nev.) — Reed High School; Nevada Pride and Nomads soccer clubs.
Made varsity as a freshman, and since then has three times been named all-league as a defender. She was Reed’s MVP, and her club team finished second in the nation.
“I saw Isabel during her junior year and thought she would be a great college center back,” Anderson said.
“Isabel has a fantastic first touch, which allows her to take long balls down and turn them into attacking opportunities.
“When a team is able to put a more controlled attack forward, Isabel has the game sense to position herself well and the strength to win the ball back.
“I am excited to see how good Isabel becomes because she has so much going for her. She will be great.”
■ Andrea Villalvazo, Midfielder (Reno, Nev.) — North Valley High School; Spanish Spring Football Club.
A four-year varsity starter, four-time all-league selection, leading scorer all four years, team captain and club MVP.
She holds a 3.2 grade point average.
“Andrea is a strong midfielder with the ability to win the ball back and the ability to go forward with purpose,” Anderson said.
“Add in her strong shot with both feet and a great work ethic and you have a player who can play up top or in the midfield, out wide or in the center.
“I am excited to have a player with this diverse skill set. She will offer us the ability to adapt and be creative in finding our best style of play.”
■ Sydney Warren, Forward (Maple Valley) — Tahoma High School; Rainier Valley Slammers.
Sydney Warren was a three-year varsity letter winner, second-team all-league selection for Tahoma, which won the 2015 4A state championship.
She holds a 3.9 grade point average.
“When I watch Sydney, I see a player with a very high ceiling,” Anderson said.
“She is strong, fast, skilled and tenacious. Most importantly, though, she is dedicated to growing.
“With her combination of size and speed, Sydney could have had good success simply running hard, but she has a savvy to her game as well.
“That is what I hope to help her develop. I really think, over time, Sydney is going to be turning heads in the NWAC.”