Wesco AA Capsules
Arlington
Coach - Nathan Davis, first season.
1996 record - 2-14-0 in league, eighth in WesCo AA.
Returning starters - Scott Chase, D, sr.; Josh Knoepfle, M, sr.; Wes Wyles, F, jr.; Tony Adams, M, sr.
Others to watch - Todd Barker, D, sr.; Jake Graham, D, sr.; Jacob Samp, D, sr.; Chris Shirley, M, sr.; Tyler Anderson, F, jr.; Christian Bernoala, F, fr.; Chris Cory, GK, so.; Jon Hillhouse, F, fr.; Joe Meng, F, jr.; Jesse Oman, F, jr.; Caleb Samp, GK, fr.; Jonathan Scott, D, jr.; Lucas Soren, D, jr.; Josh Thornes, D, so.
Outlook - Chase, a sweeper who earned all-WesCo honorable mention last season, anchors a tough defense. In the past, the Eagles lacked a true finisher and struggled to score. Oman and Bernoala, who moved here with his family from Peru, might be the answer for Arlington up front. Maintaining possession in the offensive third is key, and individual skill and footwork must improve. Arlington upset Lake Stevens 3-0 Friday, and has the potential to win a few more than last season and move into the middle of the league. Forward line is fast and physical, as Eagles prefer a through-ball attack from the wings. They use a 4-3-3 offense and start two freshmen.
Cedarcrest
Coach - Mike Dowd, fourth season.
1996 record - 8-8-0 in league, sixth.
Returning starters - Nate Brigham, GK, sr.; Ryan Byrum, D, sr.; Kurt Trabont, D, sr.; Phillip Krieble, M, sr.; Michael Hudson, M, sr.; Kevin Berdan, F, sr.; Pedro Vasquez, F, sr.; Nick Roche, GK, jr.; Waldo Nambo, D, sr.; James Young, D, jr.
Others to watch - Chris Korshaven, M, jr.; Brendan Richards, F, jr.; Stephen Barclay, M, jr.; Justin VanWhye, M, jr.; Ryan Frey, M, fr.; Ryan Costello, M, so.
Outlook - Red Wolves lost only one senior and will be among league's contenders in only their third varsity season. Experience and leadership are strengths. Cedarcrest is strong at every position as three all-WesCo second-team selections (Berdan, Trabont and Hudson) return to anchor the defense, midfield and forward line. Red Wolves, who use a 4-4-2 system and are very physical, have the talent to finish among top three in WesCo AA. While some teams attack from the flanks, Cedarcrest's offense tends to come up the middle. Berdan, a senior, was a sophomore last season but skipped a grade for academic reasons.
Jackson
Coach - Michael Bartley, third season (11th overall).
1996 record - 9-6-1 in league, tied for third.
Returning starters - Dan Ratliff, GK, sr.; Nick Snell, D, so.; Alex Templeton, M, sr.; Scott Angdahl, F, jr.; Russell Brown, F, jr.
Others to watch - Steve Chaddock, M, jr.; Mike Tausen, F, so.
Outlook - Nine starters return and Jackson fields seniors for the first time this season. Team strengths lie in underclassmen; Snell was all-WesCo first-team as a freshman. Ratliff and Brown also were first-team all-league selections. In only its second varsity season, the Timberwolves could finish in the upper half of WesCo for the second consecutive year. Might struggle with consistency until new players learn to play together.
Lake Stevens
Coach - Chris Clementson, second season.
1996 record - 11-4-1 in league, second.
Returning starters - Nick Olason, F, sr.; Adam Giddings, GK, sr.; Ryan Oliver, GK, so.; Josh Cole, M, so.
Outlook - The Vikings were 3-11-2 two seasons ago, but Clementson pulled the right strings last season as Lake Stevens lost only four games. Six starters graduated, and younger players who might lack varsity experience need to contribute early. Olason was all-WesCo second-team as a junior and Oliver earned honorable mention. Clementson, whose tactical style emphasizes possession, coached Holy Cross to the Class A/B state title in 1994.
Lynnwood
Coach - Eddie Fernandez, second season.
1996 record - 8-7-1 in league, fifth.
Returning starters - Jaime Burke, D, sr.; Charlie Burke, GK, jr.; Alex Matey F, sr.; Alden Paige, F, jr.
Others to watch - Luke Hutchinson, M, fr.
Outlook - The Royals are extremely quick up front with Matey and Paige attacking the goal. Charlie Burke (keeper) and Jaime Burke (sweeper) anchor Lynnwood's defense. Six returners are back, but new faces must gel with team quickly to make immediate impact. Alden is top scoring threat in 4-4-2 attack. Fernandez, a 1990 Lynnwood graduate who played one season with the Seattle Sounders and two years at Seattle University, was last season's WesCo AA Coach of the Year. Matey, Jaime Burke and Charlie Burke were all-league second-team selections last season. With Monroe, Jackson and Cedarcrest, Lynnwood should be among the league's top teams.
Meadowdale
Coach - Darrell Hamilton, first season.
1996 record - 9-6-1 in league, tied for third.
Returning starters - Adam Rentas, GK, sr.; David Quick, M, jr.; J.J. West, F, jr.; Eric Judd, M, so.; Tom LaFreniere, D, so.
Others to watch - James Echert, F, fr.; Guy Forsling, D, sr.; Travis Adelman, M, so.; Mike Sauter, M, so.
Outlook - Meadowdale is a young squad with five starters back, including two seniors. Younger players must mature quickly and learn to work together. Quick, a three-year starter and first-team all-league pick last season, returns to run the midfield as the team's top playmaker. Rentas, also a first-team selection, shared four shutouts in eight games last season before he suffered a season-ending injury. With speed, an incredible shot and impressive one-on-one abilities, West is Meadowdale's main offensive threat. Great team speed in the offensive third.
Monroe
Coach - Paul Hurme, first season.
1996 record - 16-0-0 in league, first.
Returning starters - Kip Johnson, F, sr.; Jim Olson, F, sr.; Jeff Johnson, M, sr.; Jon Walsh, M, jr.; Nathan Heskew, D, sr.; Joe Dragavon, D, sr.; Mike Dold, GK, jr.
Others to watch - Jeff Whiting, M, sr.; Brian Haas, M, so.; Luke Schultz, D, jr.; Kyle Edelbrock, D, jr.
Outlook - Hurme, who scored 101 goals in four seasons at North Seattle Christian, takes over the Bearcats. As a four-year defender on the University of Washington's men's team, Hurme has playing experience at Division I level and will add tactical knowledge to an experienced and skilled team. Whiting, a transfer, is an excellent midfielder with great vision, ball handling, tackling and passing skills. Jeff Johnson is the attacking midfielder in the 4-4-2 system, with Olson the leading scorer. Haas and Walsh are terrors on the flanks, with Edelbrock (left back) and Schultz (right back). With seven returners, talented new players and Hurme's leadership, Bearcats are team to beat.
South Whidbey
Coach - Mark Helpenstell, first season.
1996 record - 1-15-0 in league, ninth.
Returning starters - David Langlois, F, sr.; Arlin Peterman, M, jr.; Jon Greve', M, so.; James Traynor, F, sr.; Joe Traynor, D, sr.; Mike McCabe, D, sr.; Daniel Munoz-Howard, M, jr.
Others to watch - Brandon Richards, D, fr.; Lane Richards, F, fr.; Brendan Coughlin, M, jr.; Richard Borton GK, jr.; Dave Engeset, D, sr.
Outlook - Seven starters are back in the Falcons' fourth season of high-school soccer. Must improve on technical skills to earn more wins than last season. Strength is a quick, short-passing game, but decision-making and ability to maintain possession is suspect. South Whidbey seems to improve every season.
Stanwood
Coach - Fred Schiessl, fifth season (14th overall).
1996 record - 5-9-2 in league, seventh.
Returning starters - Mike Pearson, M, sr.; Chris Laviolette, M, sr.; Josh Schiessl, GK, sr.
Others to watch - Bjorn Thoreen, W, jr.; Rick Holland, D, so.; Jake Darrow, D, jr.; Brad Edlin, F, sr.; Aaron Uson, F, sr.; Garrett Hansen, M, fr.
Outlook - With only three returning starters, the Spartans are young, and their defense is suspect. Pearson and Hansen control the midfield in Stanwood's 4-4-2 attack. Schiessl is 6 feet, but is a more solid goalkeeper on the ground than in the air. Defense is weakness, as the Spartan back line is young and inexperienced. Good fundamentally in middle and offensive third of the field. Uson, who scored a hat trick in the first 30 minutes of a 5-4 victory over South Whidbey, is main scoring threat with finesse-type shot that can tuck goals into the back of the net.