MATTAWA – The Wahluke Warriors soccer team is working the pitch to ensure a successful season and head coach Cele Lopez said he’s hoping to set the team up to represent their school, community and families well. He’s working to address the gaps left by last year’s graduates while building up returning players. 

“Every year, the same thing, you know. We’re missing the guys that are gone; we have high expectations for the kids who are coming on. I’m pretty sure we’re going to be solid,” Lopez said.  

Lopez said a big part of the first week has been working to get the freshmen and other new players integrated into the team. He has eight returning varsity players and said he’s working to ensure they pass on their knowledge to the younger players. Core skills like passing the ball while being aware of the traffic on the field and being ready for anything. Unlike basketball or football, soccer usually isn’t about pre-set plays but being able to respond to the fast movement on the field while handling the ball through kicks that lead to control.  

“It’s really hard to connect or control a ball with your legs,” Lopez said. “It’s not always going to be the way we plan on. Making them think on the drill helps to make a better decision and be ready for the real deal.”  

There are a couple of juniors that are making a big difference for the team, Lopez said. Both have participated in youth clubs he runs and he’s worked with them for five years or so.  

“They’re always talking. They’re always helping, pushing everyone to be accountable and get here on time,” he said.  

Lopez has been coaching the boys team for 15 years now, he said, with four years as the head coach. He’s also been coaching the girls team for eight years and runs various soccer clubs in the community when the school’s season isn’t rolling along. He sees it as a way for the community to come together and brings that mindset onto the field with him.  

He’s hoping the 65 athletes that consistently show up among all of the squads understand the community mentality he’s trying to put out to them. He had 77 athletes sign up, and 65 have shown up consistently. 

The hardest working players who take ownership will be the ones he puts in leadership roles as the season progresses, he said. While he has a few seniors, it’s two juniors who have stepped up to the proverbial plate to lead. They focus on communication, coordination and making sure everyone is involved in the drills and skills development the coaching staff is working on.  

“They actually make a big difference on the club,” Lopez said.  

Non-league play starts this week for the Warriors, and Lopez said he’s intentionally arranged for the games to be challenging. The first game is against last year’s state champion team. The second, against the runners-up from 2024. He feels that facing the toughest opposition possible from the start is the way to get the players to brace themselves and push hard from the start of the season to the end. 

“Our first three games are the top ten in the state,” he said. “I asked for that, and we received it. So, it’s good. I think, over the years, I noticed that facing tougher opponents (gets us) prepared for what’s coming.”  

Setting up the foundation for a winning mindset for both life and the soccer pitch is the key to everything Lopez said he’s working for at Wahluke. Taking on tough opponents and acknowledging how much work needs to be done is important in life and on the field. 

“It’s better preparation for us, because we see what’s on the other side and what we’re going to have to overcome if we really want to make a state title,” he said. 

Warriors Boys Soccer Schedule

Wed March 12 Chelan High School 4 p.m.  

Fri March 14 Overlake Soccer Jamboree 4:10 p.m.  

Sat March 15 @ University Prep 11 a.m. 

Tue March 18 Royal High School 4 p.m.  

Thu March 20 White Swan High School 4 p.m.  

Sat March 22 @ Cashmere High School 1 p.m. 

Tue March 25 Kiona Benton City 4 p.m. 

Fri March 28 @ Connell High School 6 p.m. 

Sat April 5 Warden High School 1 p.m. 

Tue April 8 Cascade High 4 p.m.  

Fri April 11 Zillah High School 4 p.m. 

Mon April 14 @ Wapato High School 6 p.m.  

Thu April 17 @ La Salle High School 6 p.m.  

Tue April 22 @ Highland High School 6 p.m. 

Fri April 25 Granger High School 4 p.m. 

Tue April 29 @ Naches Valley 4 p.m. 

Fri May 2 College Place High 4 p.m. 

    Two defenders, in yellow, work on defending against scrimmage offense on the soccer pitch last week. The Warriors soccer team has been doing extensive drills as they prep for play later this week.
  

    Wahluke players run drills designed to focus on ball control and working around other players on the field. Coach Cele Lopez said he wants the students to be able to reflexively respond to the plays their opponents put out this year.