PORT ANGELES — Talk about a turnaround.
The Port Angeles girls soccer team has already trumped anything the previous four Roughrider incarnations accomplished, and it’s just two games into the season.
In other words, it’s safe to say year one of the Scott Moseley era is already a success.
“It’s put the season off on the right foot,” said Moseley of his team’s 2-0 start. “They were pretty excited after the Sequim game [a 6-1 victory].”
Already, Port Angeles has scored more goals (18) than any of its previous four predecessors.
And, already, Port Angeles has more wins (2) than the last three teams combined (1-39-3 overall).
If the Riders (2-0) were to win tonight’s game against Bremerton, they would match the program’s win total from 2005-08.
The difference has been a focus on the basics, according to Moseley.
“Soccer, like a lot of sports, revolves around if you do the small things well, the big things will happen,” Scott said. “[We work on] just the basics of soccer: pass, move, look, switch the ball.
“The bottom line too, though, is you still need to have somebody who can put the ball in the net.”
The Riders definitely have one of those in Scott’s daughter, Abbie Moseley.
The fourth-year starter has scored 10 goals in the Riders’ two wins, trumping the ’06 and ’07 teams’ cumulative scoring totals by herself.
No doubt she will add many more to that total before the season is over.
That would likely mean a lot more wins for the Riders, who could vie for a postseason appearance a year removed from a 1-13-1 season.
“I had a sense that we would be better just based upon some of the summer games that we’ve played, plus knowing how many girls have graduated from [other Olympic League schools],” said coach Moseley, who previously led the Rider JV boys team for two years.
“Timing can be everything.”
After a seemingly interminable wait, it appears the Riders’ time is now.
The following are preview capsules for each of the girls soccer teams on the North Olympic Peninsula:
Port Angeles (3A)
• League: Olympic
• Coach: Scott Moseley (first year)
• Last year: 1-10-0 in league (ninth), 1-13-1 overall; missed playoffs.
• Returning starters: Abbie Moseley (Sr., MF); Elise Reid (Sr., GK); Erin Stockard (Sr., D); Kathryn Moseley (Soph., F); Miranda Pitz (Sr., F); Jamie Curtis (Sr., MF); Neeya Hansen (Sr., MF); Courtney Bruch (Sr., MF).
• Top newcomers: Mary Ahrens (Sr., MF); Chelsea Rice (Jr., D); Tally Swanson (Jr., D); Paxton Rodocker (Soph., D).
• Player to watch: Abbie Moseley
The first-team All-Olympic League player knows how to find the back of the net, having already scored 10 goals two games into her senior season.
Obviously, she will be the focus of the Rider attack this fall.
• Outlook: Scott Moseley brings in a focus on passing and possession of the ball to the Riders in his first season as coach.
One week in and things are already looking better, with this year’s Riders already surpassing the win total (one) from the last three seasons combined.
With 12 returning varsity players, 11 of whom are seniors, and an early run of success to begin the fall, perhaps this is the year Port Angeles turns the corner.
“They are hungry for a turnaround this season,” Scott Moseley said. “The biggest issues will be depth and keeping the team injury free.”
Sequim (2A)
• League: Olympic
• Coach: Enid Halewyn (third year)
• Last year: 1-10-1 in league (eighth), 2-10-2 overall; missed playoffs.
• Returning starters: Anna LaBeaume (Sr., MF); Kyla Hall (Sr., MF); Turi Anderson (Sr., MF/F); Meghan Gammel (Sr., F); Rachel DeWees (Soph., GK).
• Top newcomers: Lauren Bell (Fr., F); Paige Johnson (Soph., MF); Sarah Marble (Soph., D); Haley Montelius (Fr., F); Quinn O’Neil (Soph., D); Elizabeth Shore (Soph., D); Hillary Smith (Fr., F); Molly Smith (Fr., D); Lorah Steichen (Soph., D).
• Player to watch: Anna LaBeaume
There may be no better female athlete on the Peninsula than LaBeaume, a state champion shot putter that has an impressive blend of speed and power.
Having been moved to midfield from the sweeper position, she should have even more chances to impact games this season.
• Outlook: The Sequim Wolves have an awful lot of pups this season.
With only four seniors and two juniors on the roster, the Wolves are counting on a host of sophomores and freshmen to play big roles this fall.
That includes the entire defensive backline, part of the reason Sequim gave up six goals to archrival Port Angeles earlier this week.
“This season is definitely a rebuilding one because everyone is very young,” Halewyn said. “We’ve got great attitudes.
“I’ve got work horses, girls that are willing to work very hard and do what it takes. With heart and spirit we’re going to have a great season.”
Port Townsend (1A)
• League: Olympic
• Coach: Colin Foden (11th year)
• Last year: 3-7-2 in league (sixth), 6-9-2 overall; eliminated at districts.
• Returning starters: Khloe Frank (Sr., MF); Brynne Gambill (Sr., F); Emelina Berkshire (Jr., MF); Jennifer Grauberger (Jr., D); Caroline Dowdle (Jr., GK); Elena Akins (Jr., D); Chelsey Hoglund (Jr., MF/D); Audrey McHugh (Soph., MF/F).
• Top newcomer: Irina Lyons (Fr., F).
• Player to watch: Khloe Frank
An honorable mention All-Olympic League midfielder last season, Frank will be counted on to provide some stability in the middle for the Redskins.
• Outlook: The Redskins lost a lot of offense with the departure of Claire Foden (11 goals, six assists).
Replacing that production will be a key element in the Redskins’ success this fall.
“Every year the exiting seniors you worry about and the new seniors step up somehow,” coach Foden said. “We’ll miss [Claire], but it will be OK. We have a good passing game, some really game-winning players and a solid defense.”
With a shrinking roster size, the biggest question mark for the Redskins will be depth.
If the team can stay healthy, coach Foden is confident his team can reach the postseason for a second straight year.
Chimacum (1A)
• League: 1A Nisqually
• Coach: Stan Berdinner (sixth year)
• Last year: 5-5-2 in league (fourth), 6-7-3 overall; eliminated at sub-districts.
• Returning starters: Sarah Hanke (Sr., MF); Sarah Browning (Sr., MF/F); Samantha Benner (Sr., F); Hannah Baird (Jr., Util); Teagan Westwood (Sr., F); Sarah Chisick (Soph., D); Hailey Beres (Jr., MF).
• Top newcomers: Kaylie Castillo (Jr., GK); Natassja Savidge (Soph., D).
• Player to watch: Samantha Benner
The first-team All-Nisqually striker led the Cowboys with 15 goals last season. She’s already ahead of last year’s pace with six on the books in two games played.
• Outlook: The Cowboys reached the postseason for the first time in recent memory last season.
If they are going to repeat that feat this year, it will be with the help of a handful of inexperienced players chipping in.
“We graduated our defense and our goalie, so we’ve been struggling a little bit in the back,” coach Berdinner said. “We’re learning on the job is what’s happening. But it’s still early, and I think we have a chance to get it together.
“Last year was big. If we can do that again, we’ll be very happy.”
Forks (1A)
• League: SWL Evergreen Division
• Coach: Todd McDowell (second year)
• Last year: 0-12 in league (seventh); 1-14 overall.
• Returning starters: Kylea Jo Allen (Sr., MF); Denis Rodriguez (Sr., GK/F); Sierra Noles (Soph., D); Marie Moore (Soph., F/MF); Brittany Leavitt (Sr., MF); Roseilly Sanchez (Sr., D); Alvina Carter (Soph., D); Katelynn Kershner (Jr., D); Abby McIrvin (Jr., F); Mariah Dillard (Sr., GK/D).
• Top newcomers: Nicole Wade (Soph., F/D); Frances Mohn (Fr., F); Jessica Garbrick (Soph., D).
• Player to watch: Kylea Jo Allen
The senior co-captain netted the Spartans’ lone game-winning goal last season.
• Outlook: The Spartans are slowly building a competitive program on the girls side after years of winless seasons.
Without an established offense, Forks will count on its defense to keep it in games this fall. The goals will have to come on counter attacks.
“Last year we got our first win as a program, ever, and this year I look for more wins,” coach McDowell said.
“If the team plays the way they did against Sequim [a 2-0 loss rather than a 13-0 defeat the year before], we will have a great chance of winning some games in our league this year.”