Warriors soccer kicks off
Coach Arthur DeVictoria shouts out instructions during drills last week.
MATTAWA - The first week of Wahluke High School soccer practice is in the books, and Coach Arthur DeVictoria is "quite happy" with everything that has happened to this point.
The Warriors missed the state tournament last year, but they played at a state caliber all season. There is no reason to believe they won't do that again.
The Warriors return five starters among the 60 players turning out. They must replace all-state keeper Alan Caro, and all-league forward Ramon Bravo.
The battle for the goal keeping assignment is between sophomore Ulysses Gonzalez and freshman Ricardo Cabrera. Cabrera is demonstrating skill and tenacity not usually found in a ninth grader.
On Monday of last week, the Warriors had their annual Midnight Practice (12:01), and there was a turnout of around 25 players.
The 60 players who will be divvied up by the varsity, junior varsity and C squad, count 17 freshmen, 19 sophomores and14 juniors, with the rest Seniors.
The Warriors have 12 returning varsity players from last season, with five returning starters. The Warriors have been running a morning practice this year, at the request of the players, with an average of eight players every morning prior to school.
The Warriors have a new coach with Jeffery McClelland to the staff. He played at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The big news this week is that the Warriors will be traveling to Seattle Friday, March 13-14, to play University Prep and Seattle Academy.
The University Prep game will be at the Starfire Stadium at 5 p.m. Saturday the Warriors will play Seattle Academy on Starfire field 11 at 11 a.m.