The South Whidbey girls soccer team keeps adding to its ranks. And with the season starting Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Friday Harbor, some of the players began practice just a week before the season kick-off.

During a practice in the first week of fall sports, 22 girls were on the soccer field at South Whidbey Elementary. South Whidbey High School head coach Paul Arand encouraged his team to recruit and remind girls to come out to tryouts and practice.

“It’s coming along,” said Gary Peterson, assistant and junior varsity coach. “It’s coming along well.”

Arand knew a few weren’t going to make it out for the first week, but wanted to fill his roster out a little more.

Then the girls continued to arrive during the end of August and into the first week of September, just days before the first game. Now the roster sits at 30 girls between the varsity and junior varsity squads.

The challenge comes from having the team learn the system within 12 practices before the first game, and that’s if the girls started practicing in August.

“At this point, they’re very positive and upbeat,” Peterson said.

Even with the team not being solidified earlier, the girls were vocal during recent drills, and the coaches worked to develop and foster open communication with the players.

Seniors called out the defensive assignments and pointed out open offensive players who needed to be defended. Arand stepped in to demonstrate how spacing leads to open looks and creates room for the dribbler to create. They listened and responded by moving to open pockets of field, making the defenders choose to cover their assignments or chase the dribbler.

“The communication between coaches and players is much better,” Peterson said.

Captains Laurie Robinson and Jessica Manca will help prepare the team for another rigorous season. Archbishop Murphy, King’s and Cedarcrest are expected to repeat as the top three teams.

Last season, AMHS was 14-0, and King’s and Cedarcrest both finished 9-5 in league play. South Whidbey finished 4-10. Beating those programs won’t be easy.

“I don’t think any of those programs are going to back off any time soon,” Peterson said. “If you want to see a well-oiled machine, come watch Archbishop Murphy.”

The team anticipates good matches against Granite Falls and Coupeville. Peterson named Robinson, Manca, Mekenzie Peterson, Brianna Haimes, Amanda Lutsock, Channy Potter and Cortney Fredriksen as returning players who are expected to perform well this season.

“We have to play as a team, out- hustle and outwork other teams,” Peterson said.

Loaded with upperclassmen, Arand and Peterson will lean on their experience and leadership. Seven juniors and four seniors will see plenty of playing time on a small team.

Arand pointed to the positives of having a short-staffed team, while reminding his team to find a few more girls.

“I think they have a desire to win,” Peterson said. “Sometimes they’re just not sure how much time and just how hard you have to work to do that.”

“It’s going to be a fun season, and we’re hoping for the best,” Peterson said.