Girls' soccer team has depth in rebuilding year

Communication was the key word when the La Conner High School girls' soccer team opened preseason workouts last week.

The hope is that by season's end, the rebuilding Braves program will be the talk of the perennially tough NW2B League.

"The feedback we're getting is that our communication on the field is much improved," second year head coach Maddie Huscher said. "We've really stepped up with that all over the field, on offense and defense."

Huscher and assistant coaches Robert Hancock and Tawsha Carlson have greeted a deep and communicative roster that blends a corps of key returnees with talented younger prospects.

Sixteen players attended the Friday morning session, which started with a run from campus around La Conner Marina and back before passing and defensive drills.

Hancock and Carlson were actively engaged in those drills.

"I have amazing assistant coaches this season," the energetic Huscher said. She grew up playing soccer in California.

The most veteran of La Conner's returning players, each of whom made significant contributions throughout the 2023 campaign are Kendall Lee, Lily Dougliss, Bailey Smith and Lydia Grossglass.

Grossglass is coming off a stellar spring track season which she capped as a state meet qualifier and silver medalist with La Conner's 800-meter relay team at Yakima.

Another budding track standout, Aisley Zimmerman, is among a host of underclassmen vying for playing time in a season that begins at home 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 against Muckleshoot.

While preseason practices officially began Aug. 26, the La Conner coaches note that their players engaged frequently in summer soccer training, looking to improve upon the team's 1-7-1 mark of last season.

Huscher anticipates that besides Providence Classical Christian, several of the usual suspects, such as Orcas Island and Mount Vernon Christian will again present difficult tests for La Conner in conference action. She isn't sure if they'll face archrival Coupeville this season.

There's no doubt, though, given its strong roster numbers that La Conner will be a constant presence on the soccer pitch in 2024.

The team has a quick turnaround after hosting Muckleshoot. At 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Braves welcome Forest Ridge Sacred Heart of Bellevue.