From underdogs to contenders

MATTAWA — After a 7-0 loss in the first round of the 1A state tournament to Seton Catholic, the Wahluke Warriors’ (14-7) season has come to an end. Though a loss is never welcomed with open arms, Head Coach Cele Lopez is still happy with what his team accomplished this season.

“I’m just really happy I told the girls yesterday before jumping on the field, ‘We are already winners just by being here,’” Lopez said.

Before the season started, Lopez said they had their hands full since they housed a less experienced roster.

“We have a new team, a lot of freshmen, a lot of girls that want to play but they have never touched a ball in their life. That’s really a challenge,” he said.

Outside of a few players who had experience competing for a club team, there was a greater need for teaching the fundamentals of the sport than most years, Lopez said. He saw the potential of his team during their game against Cashmere on Oct. 7.

The Warriors lost 3-0, but Lopez said he still came away from that game proud because of the way his players showed up to compete. He said his heart was full after that game.

“I think that game turned around our season. Then we fought hard versus Royal. We fought hard versus Naches (Valley) and when we beat everyone else, we were playing better soccer overall, and I think the group united a little bit more after that day,” Lopez said.

From Oct. 23 to Nov. 8 the Warriors went on a six-game win streak that included a rivalry win in the consolation bracket over the Knights. They lost 4-0 in their first meeting in September and 1-0 on a last-second score in October.

However, a third time was a charm for them as they overcame the Knights in overtime penalty kicks. Lopez said the win left them with a great feeling afterward.

“It’s a good feeling, especially for them,” he said. “I’m really happy for my team because they believe in the message, and I’m really grateful to see them fighting hard. I get really happy when I see my team’s fire and if I can light up a spark, and they can continue the flame, that’s really great for us.”

This season challenged Lopez’s approach to coaching as well. He said he had to change his perspective on a few things including putting out different defensive formations that the players were more comfortable with. Once he put them in positions to be more comfortable, the Warriors were seeing more success.

The Warriors had many defensive gaps to fill coming into the season, which created another challenge for Lopez, he said. However, as the season progressed, more players began to step up and fill those gaps.

One of the players that stepped up was senior Lorraine Badillo, who was also the Warriors’ only captain this season, according to Lopez. Lopez said she ended up being their best defender. He said Badillo’s ability to be vocal as a leader and push her teammates to improve in practice was a big part of why she was the only captain this season.

“That’s when you feel accomplished as a coach. You see something like that, and if you can pass that on to at least one athlete, that’s huge,” he said.

Lopez said they will be missing a strong presence in Badillo next season. However, he feels confident several returning players are motivated to take her place as a leader for next year’s team. He is confident the Warriors will build on this season and put out a united front in the fall of 2026.

Lopez said this season was an important first step in setting a culture shift and building a winning athletic program at Wahluke. They trying to build not only that, but also a welcoming environment where student athletes are able to make friends and represent their community.

“The girls finally understand that we’re not just playing soccer, that we’re representing a program, we’re representing a school, we’re representing a community, and that’s the kind of culture that we’re going to set up hopefully for all sports,” he said.

After the state tournament game, Lopez told his players they had a special place in his heart for their dedication this season. From his viewpoint, they defied all expectations and came together to do something special.

“(I told my players) ‘It’s just that you guys work the hardest.’ Sometimes when you have talented players, you don’t see them trying as hard as other players or that they want to learn. You know that they have that desire to get better. At the end of the season, I noticed most of the girls wanted to be here, they wanted to try and they started believing the message,” he said.

    Yohary Magana (17) calls out to her teammates as she passes the ball back into play against the Knights in the district tournament. The Wahluke Warriors went 14-7 this season and made an appearance in the 1A state tournament.
  

    Lorraine Badillo (5) passes the ball to a teammate earlier this season. Head Coach Cele Lopez said Badillo was the only player named team captain this season because her leadership and dedication to the team.
  

    The Wahluke Warriors’ Alexandra Rodriguez (14) looks for a passing opportunity against the Knights in the 1A district tournament.