By Coach Miles Becker

Special to the Weekly

Lopez High School Soccer steps onto the field with a fresh young squad for the 2015 fall season. Judging by the level of play in their first game, age will not be a limiting factor.

The opener against La Conner brought fans to their feet for a thrilling match. Despite fielding fewer players, the Lopez team held possession and showed strong unity.  Feeding the ball through the midfield with accuracy and composure, newcomer Jorge Solis, an exchange student from Chihuahua, Mexico, repeatedly created opportunities up front.

The fast footwork and strategic positioning in the goalbox by Tobin Arden kept the defense on their toes.

Strikers Angel Lopez on loan from Madrid, Spain and homegrown Sterling Carfrae, whose partnership produced an elegant goal worthy of national television replay, provided some real teeth in the attacking end.

Ever courteous to fellow players on both sides of the pitch, Rio Cordova maintained a healthy balance distributing balls in the midfield and shutting down the counterattack. Anchoring the team on defense was the sweeper Jonathan Doherty sprinting with intensity to block shots and overtake the opposing team’s strikers.

Keeping a cool head on left back, sophomore Ryan Schaefer persistently dismantled the attack and sent the ball on its way back towards the other goal.

On the opposite sideline, team captain, Dylan Moore put his experience and long legs to good use, frequently tackling and intercepting the ball to regain control for the team. Several laser-like shots were confidently deflected by goalkeeper Gavin Goodrich, quick to dive and quicker to jump to his feet.

Building up the team later in the season will be Dawson Hall and Antonia Bock. The team this year is overseen by myself Coach Miles Becker himself under the benevolent tutelage of Coach Shawn Westervelt, whose dedication to sportsmanship will continue to strengthen the team and keep them enthusiastic about the game.

And, if the first game was any indication of this team’s potential, we have good reason to be enthusiastic.