ANACORTES — The Anacortes girls’ soccer team finally has the offense to match its defense.
The Seahawks have boasted a tenacious defense for several years under coach Ken Welk, but the addition of several young, offensive-minded players this year has given the team a new look.
It’s been paying off, with the Seahawks going 7-5 in Northwest Conference play with one regular-season game remaining.
They’ve already equaled the number of wins they’re had in the previous three years combined.
“We were lacking the offensive punch the freshmen have given us. The timing has been a pleasant surprise,” Welk said.
For the past several years, the Seahawks have had an improving defense and midfield led by a group that includes several of this year’s seniors.
That trend has continued into this season, with Anacortes holding its opponents, including several from the fiercely competitive Northwest Conference, to 1.75 goals per game.
The Seahawks have given up 21 goals in 12 games. They have three shutouts.
The players say that their experience together forged over the past few years has helped — helped their communication with each other, helped them know what to expect from opponents, and helped them transition quickly from defense to offense.
“We’ve all had this time to work together. The defense has chemistry together,” senior Sam Olsen said.
While the Seahawks’ tough defense is familiar to opponents, their effective offense is a newer wrinkle, especially with the addition of a crop of freshmen who have grown up playing club soccer together.
Those players include Catherine Miles, who has 11 goals and three assists, Mariel McCown, who has six goals and six assists, and Jasper Sortun, who has eight goals and three assists.
Welk said he knew of the players’ skill before this year, but said seeing them play in the summer and in early practices cemented what he had heard.
“By the time the season started, we knew they’d have an impact,” he said.
“It was unbelievable,” senior Briana Hobbs said of the younger’ players impact. “I remember when we beat (our first opponent) 3-0. It was the best feeling. We’d been waiting four years for people like that.”
Miles said the group draws confidence from the quality of the midfield and the defense behind it.
“We’re secure, even when we always don’t make the best decisions, because they’re behind us,” she said.
The feeling is mutual, with several of the upperclassmen saying the chemistry on the team is good.
“We’re playing as a team, we care about each other, and the team is more united on the field,” Sarah Koss said.
Trevor Pyle can be reached at 360-416-2156 or by e-mail at
