Quincy girls soccer brings experience to new league

QUINCY — The Quincy Jackrabbits girls soccer team will take the field with a mix of experience and younger players and a roster of about 50 girls – oh yeah, and they’re going to be competing in a whole new league.  

Quincy will join the Class 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference, the result of quadrennial reclassification by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. Previously Quincy was part of the 1A Caribou Trail League. Quincy dropped down to Class 1A during the last reclassification cycle.  

The CWAC is the biggest league in Central Washington with nine teams; the CTL had five teams in 2023-24. First-year girls soccer Head Coach Jesse Villalobos said Quincy is well positioned for its first CWAC season, but team dynamics will play an important role. 

“I believe the key (to competitiveness) is just coming together as a team and being willing to play for each other,” Villalobos said. “We’re starting to rebuild the camaraderie – the girls want to play for each other and they’re getting along very well. I think that the first step to actually competing in any sport is making sure the team is together.”  

Villalobos said the Jacks have what he called a “huge” freshman and sophomore turnout to mix with the upperclassmen. The team will be looking to its returning seniors for leadership. 

“Heavily relying on our seniors,” Villalobos said. “They’re all really experienced, and they’ve been playing varsity for a few years. They're the veterans, and they’re going to hopefully set the tone and encourage the girls to step up.”   

Quincy players also have gained experience outside of the high school season. 

“The majority of them do have really good experience, thanks to our clubs here in Quincy, Quincy United. They get experience on that side as well, through the club level,” Villalobos said. 

The move to the CWAC comes with some unknowns, he said, except that it’s going to be a challenge.  

“I think through and through, they’re very competitive. These schools are bigger than us. They have a lot more experience – they've been competing in the CWAC, so they know each other,” Villalobos said. “I think we’re really going to have to play tough and be physical.” 

It’s the first year as a head coach in Quincy for Villalobos; he was an assistant for the Jacks’ boys soccer team last spring. Previously he founded the soccer program at Pateros High School, coaching both the boys and girls teams for five years. 

    Cardio training is part of the regimen for Quincy girls soccer players. The Jacks finished with a winning record in 2023 and will test their skills in a new league in 2024.
  

    The girls soccer team takes a lap around the Quincy High School practice field.
  

    Quincy girls soccer players warm up in early-practice drills.
  

    New Quincy girls soccer Coach Jesse Villalobos directs traffic at an early-season practice.