The Wolverine boys soccer team started the season with two wins at 1-0 over Providence and 5-2 over Life Christian.
Senior Luke Erikson scored the winning goal against Providence and had two goals against Life Christian. Emmett Carrier, Iziah Daily and Nick Copley, all seniors, also scored one goal each against Life Christian.
Even though it’s early in the season and according to Head Coach Tyler Howe the team still have a few improvements to make, as a group he is really please with how this team responded to early-season adversity and less-than-ideal playing conditions.
“We have a great dynamic created by the combination of a strong senior class with excellent leadership qualities and a very enthusiastic freshman class,” said Howe. “They have potential to contribute in a significant way to our team this year.”
According to assistant coach Sam Paul-Barrette the team has quite a few strong players who stand to have a positive impact including Carrier, Erickson and fellow senior Nick Herko.
“Ismael Churape is an extremely skilled player and senior Arlo Harold is a great motivator and vocal leader,” said Paul-Barrette “Though I think we are better together, as a whole team rather than as individual players.”
Howe also backs up the team mentality saying that it’s the dynamic of the team as a whole combined with a strong senior presence and hard-working incoming players that will help the team be successful.
“We had 37 kids try out, that is close to a program record,” said Paul-Barrette. “Seventeen of those are freshmen who are getting valuable experience on the JV team.”
Howe also notes the dedication of the volunteer coaches Paul-Barrette, Brett Paul and Junior Varsity Coaches Sean Parsons and Floyd Bourne.
“I’m optimistic that this team will play some beautiful soccer before the season is through,” said Howe.
The team has two of its biggest matches of the year coming up on Tuesday, Sept. 24 against Mt. Vernon Christian and it’s other biggest rival Orcas on Saturday, Sept. 28. They are both home games.
“Our mentality is just a day at a time and working together as a group,” said Howe. “But our next two home games will be against tough opponents so it would be great to see support at those games.”
Full team roster
Jack Knapik, Satchel Pieples, Colby Border, Levi Buchanan, Ismael Churape, Emmett Carrier, Iziah Daily, Levi Doenges, Nick Herko, Arlo Harold, Skyler Reynolds, Nick Copley, Satchel Bourne and Jonah Parsons. Not present in photo: Luke Erickson, Kai Miniken, Jasper Williamson, Isaac Parker and Evan Foley. Head coach: Tyler Howe. Assistant coaches: Brett Paul and Sam Paul-Barrette.
