Fall Sports Preview: SHS girls’ soccer revamps squad for postseason pitch

Sequim's girls soccer squad is getting an influx of freshman this year, and SHS co-coach Victor Lancheros says that's a good thing.

By Michael Dashiell • September 4, 2014 5:09 pm
Sequim's Abigail Hansted works past Heidi Vereide as Lisa Radford
Sequim's Abigail Hansted works past Heidi Vereide as Lisa Radford

Sequim’s girls soccer squad is getting an influx of freshman this year, and SHS co-coach Victor Lancheros says that’s a good thing.

“They all love the sport,” Lancheros says, keeping an eye on a preseason practice. Fifteen ninth-graders are joining the program this fall, with one likely securing a varsity spot and another four or five “swinging up” from junior varsity, the coach says.

The Wolves, who last season fell a bit short of Lancheros’ goal of at least as many wins as 2012 (four victories, to 2012’s five) and a district tournament berth, are a revamped team this fall. Sequim will be without graduated seniors MaKayla Bentz and Vianey Cadenas, and a trio of potential returnees who opted for other fall sports: McKenzie Bentz to volleyball and both Audrey Shingleton and Waverly Shreffler to cross country.

The Wolves, however, see nine returning upperclassmen back on the pitch who are seeking to build upon late-season successes in 2013 in which Sequim won two of their final three games.

“It’s going to be a good team,” Lancheros says, “as long as we stay away from internal problems.”

The Sequim co-coach also sees solving the goalkeeper role as a key for the Wolves early on.

“They need to step up and play the positions they are given,” Lancheros says.

Julie Lancheros, Victor’s wife, co-coaches the team. “She really knows the strategy of the game,” Victor Lancheros says. Sequim added assistant coach Brittany Murdock to the mix for 2014.

“I expect to at least go to districts,” Lancheros says.

 

SHS girls soccer 2014 season preview

Head coaches: Julie and Victor Lancheros (third season)

2013 record: 4-12, tied for seventh in Olympic League

Key returners: Maeve Harris (sr.), Shelby Lott (sr.), Leslie Cisneros (sr.), Mattie Clark (jr.), Shae Barrett (sr.), Lisa Radford (sr.), Hannah Gauthun (sr.),  Gretchen Happe (jr.), Bianca Espinosa (sr.)

Key newcomers: Mia Delguzzi-Flores (so.), Lola Delguzzi Flores (fr.), Taylor Forderer (sr.), Abigail Hansted (so.), Claire Henninger (fr.), Abigail Jaeger (so.), Adare McMinn (fr.), Sophia Radford (so.), Chloie Sparks (so.), Heidi Vereide (sr.)