The Shorecrest boys soccer team returns seven starters off a squad that went undefeated with one tie in the regular season and won the Western Conference South Division title last year.
The Scots, who were eliminated in the state 3A quarterfinals by Blanchet, won’t go unbeaten in league again this year after losing to rival Shorewood 2-0 March 14.
“Going undefeated in Wesco is not very common,” Shorecrest coach Thompson said before the Shorewood game. He coached 14 years at Shorewood before coming to Shorecrest. “It’s the first time I’ve done it in my 17 years.”
But Shorecrest still fields a formidable team that is a strong contender to win the conference.
Some of the personnel has shifted though in the Scots’ four-defender, four-midfielder, two-forward lineup.
“I’ve got a lot of versatile players,” Thompson said. “I have the luxury of being able to move guys around to make sure we’ve got the right matchups.”
Senior co-captain Mickey Crudo, who just signed a national letter of intent to play for St. Martin’s University in Lacey next fall, has moved from midfield to sweeper this year.
“Our lineup is still a work in progress,” Thompson said. “He might find himself up at the midfield at some point.”
Sophomore Michael Harris has moved from defender to center midfielder, although that could change too.
“Michael is kind of a utility player,” Thompson said. “He can play anywhere. He might go backwards or he could go forwards.”
Senior Andrew McDonald returns in goal and is coming off a U-18 state championship with his club team the Highline Heat.
Speedy outside midfielder Jonathan Cho, a junior co-captain, is back along with junior center midfielder Garrett Musar.
Senior co-captain Josh Rudnick returns at forward as does senior Brian Sharkey at left defender.
Newcomers to the starting lineup include German exchange student Ruben Balthasar, an attacking junior forward. Mikey Wyda is a senior outside midfielder who will platoon with junior Jeremy Novack, who scored the game-winner in overtime in the Scots’ opener against Kamiak.
Senior Stephen Strom plays right defender and junior Nick Terrel, a part-time starter last year, also plays defense.
“I think the strength is going to be our defense,” Thompson said. “We’re still waiting to see how our offense is going to shape up.”
Shorecrest graduated its three top scorers from last year Mike Ehrhart, Elliot Richards and Jake Mason.
“Right now we’re trying to learn to play together and develop some team chemistry,” Thompson said. “I think chemistry is always the key to being successful.”
The top contenders in the conference this year include Shorewood, Kamiak and Meado wdale, along with the Scots.
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