MATTAWA — With 10 seniors having graduated from last year’s state-qualifying, 13-5-2 Wahluke boys soccer team, the Warriors will have a new look when they take the field this season.

“We lost a whole defense, even the starters and the non-starters,” Head Coach Cele Lopez said. “We’re just rebuilding. We’re rebuilding on defense, and we’re rebuilding on, probably, every single line.”

Five of the 10 Warrior graduates last season played on the defensive line, an area that will have to gain valuable experience early in the season.

“I’m really excited to rebuild the program and start finding positions again,” Lopez said. “I’m getting involved with the youth programs a lot. I’m used to seeing players trying new positions, getting here and getting experience in game time; getting experience in practice. I’m really excited to see where we’re going to look with a whole bunch of new defenders.”

The Warriors earned the No. 10 seed in last year’s 1A State Boys Soccer Tournament but lost in the first round 1-0 to No. 7 Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls). Last year’s early finish at state will only help to motivate this year’s team, according to Lopez.

“I think that’s going to play in favor for us this year because the boys, they look hungrier,” Lopez said. “The ones with more experience, we have a few club players (that have) experience in big tournaments and being around soccer. They’re passing on that information to the new players.”

Since many players also play with club teams around the area during the summer, the team didn’t compete against another squad in off-season tournaments but did host intrasquad scrimmages.

“We didn’t have a full team to make a tournament or anything,” Lopez said. “We did have a full, good month of summer practices. A couple of scrimmages.”

Team camaraderie is a strong suit for this year’s Warrior squad, with teammates uplifting each other both in games and in practice.

“The strength for this year is the environment that we have,” Lopez said. “I think everybody’s happy with everybody. We’re drama-free, and that’s going to work good for us. I hear a lot of cheering during the practices, I hear a lot of people supporting each other.”

The emphasis on team unity also improves the play on the field.

“If you have a whole bunch of friends trying and striving together and fighting together for a common goal, that will be golden for us,” Lopez said. “That’s what we’re trying to do here at Wahluke. We want to have a winning culture, but most (importantly) we want to have a positive environment.”

Ian Bivona can be reached via email at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.