Spring preview: Coupeville High School boys soccer

Coming off its most successful season ever, the Coupeville boys soccer team has set its sights on another state playoff spot.

The Wolves finished 2009 with an 11-10 record and advanced to the round of 16 in the state tournament.

Although Coupeville lost some talented players to graduation and another transfered, coach Paul Mendes said, “This year’s seniors are also a strong group, led by three-year letterman playmaker Spencer Tack and goalkeeper Evan Ameluxen-Coleman. Combined with the other returners and some newcomer surprises, we are set to work on another bid to return to the state tournament.”

Other senior lettermen along with Tack, who was selected as the team’s MVP last year, and Ameluxen-Coleman are midfielder Jordan Lamb, defender Travis Curtain and forward Justin Adams.

Four juniors, defender Jack Caselden, forward Ben Hayes, midfielder Grayson Knott and goalkeeper Isaac Wacker, round out the returning group.

Key newcomers include junior Tony Jansen, sophomore Taylor Phillips, sophomore Dylan Tack and freshman Nathan Lamb.

Mendes expects Cedarcrest and King’s to be the toughest competition in the Cascade Conference.

He said, “Most of our experience will be at midfield, and most of the rebuilding will take place on our back line of defense. We will have to develop a balanced, team-oriented attack and rely less on individual talent to score our goals. So far our training sessions have been promising.”

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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