The Wolves’ boys soccer squad is getting a big reboot this season as they look to repeat a state tourney-worthy season. Looking to get them there is a new coach with deep Sequim High ties.
Juan Carlos Cisneros, who played for SHS in the late 1990s and graduated in purple and gold in 2000, takes over head coaching responsibilities from Ken Garling, who spent 12 seasons with the program and in his two full years as head coach posted a 21-10 record and a state berth.
Along with Garling, however, a massive 2022 senior class graduated from the club, including all-Olympic League first-teamers Aidan Henninger and Brandon Wagner, and second-teamers Brandon Charters and Jackson Van De Wege, along with leading scorer Ethan Knight and assists co-leader Kristian Mingoy.
Making their return are a number of key pieces on a club that has 13 upperclassmen — five seniors and eight juniors — to go with seven sophomore and six freshmen. Eight of those 26 players will be “swing” players and will see action on junior varsity games, Cisneros said.
“This group is young and will take some time to develop but I feel after a few weeks together the boys will find their identity and evolve into a solid side,” Cisneros said.
Returning seniors include Nova Barrett, Keaton King and Abe Torres.
Sophomore Nolan Valenzuela takes over leadership in both goal and as captain to this young 2023 squad.
The incoming freshman class is very strong, assistant/junior varsity coach Dave Breckenridge noted, bolstering not only this team but future SHS teams.
“They just need to get out and play,” he said.
Sequim opened the season on March 14 at North Mason in a 1-0 loss, and played at rival Port Angeles on March 16 in another close 1-0 loss. The Wolves were scheduled to have their home opener on March 21 against Olympic. Results were not available at press time.
Sequim is at North Kitsap on March 23 and at Bainbridge on March 28.
Spring sports preview: Boys soccer
Head coach: Juan Carlos Cisneros (first season)
2022 record: 10-4 in Olympic League, 12-7 overall; 1-3 in postseason (1-2 districts, 0-1 state)
Returners: Nova Barrett (sr.), Keaton King (sr.), Abe Torres (sr.), Jack Henninger (jr.), Joey McKay (jr.), Sam Stewart (jr.), Solas McGruther (jr.), Mekhi Ashby (jr.), Simon Hare (jr.)
Newcomers: Aaron Tolberd (sr.), Noah Pfeifer (jr.), Parker Knight (jr.), Eved Sanchez (jr.), Lake Barrett (so.), Max Jurgensen (so.), Preston Kurtze (so.), Adrian Mendez (so.), James Mason (so.), Evan Cisneros (so.), Joshua Alcaraz (fr.), Finn Braaten (fr.), Solin Feik (fr.), Maxon Stanford (fr.), Kaiden Tosland (fr.), Nolan Valenzuela (so.), Colton Wagner (fr.)
Sequim High School 2023 boys soccer schedule
Date Opponent Time
March 14 at North Mason 6:45 p.m.
March 16 at Port Angeles 6:45 p.m.
March 21 Olympic 6:45 p.m.
March 23 at North Kitsap 6:45 p.m.
March 28 at Bainbridge 6:45 p.m.
March 30 Bremerton 6:45 p.m.
April 11 at Kingston 6:45 p.m.
April 13 North Mason 6:45 p.m.
April 18 Port Angeles 6:45 p.m.
April 20 at Olympic 6:45 p.m.
April 25 North Kitsap 6:45 p.m.
April 27 Bainbridge 6:45 p.m.
May 2 at Bremerton 6:45 p.m.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Preston Kurtze holds the ball with Colin Feik immediately behind, as the varsity soccer team practices at the Albert Haller Playfields at Carrie Blake Community Park.
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Sophomore Nolan Valenzuela kicks off a drill as the boys varsity soccer team practices at the Albert Haller Playfields in Carrie Blake Community Park last week.
