The Lynnwood boys soccer team hopes its season opener is a good omen for the rest of the season.
The Royals scored a 3-2 upset over crosstown rival Meadowdale on March 16, the first Lynnwood victory over the Mavericks in about 10 years, according to first-year head coach Ryan Camden.
The win marked the unexpected debut of Camden, a 2004 graduate of Edmonds-Woodway High School. Camden was promoted from the junior varsity position after former head coach Greg White has to resign because of a job conflict. Camden officially took over the day before.
Vadim Shevchuk scored what turned out to be the game-winner at the 63rd minute, after goals by Boston White and Momodou Drammen.
Lynnwood followed up the victory with a 2-1 loss to Jackson, a team regarded as one of the league favorites, later in the week.
“We have lots of talent,” Camden said. “We have people from all over the world – Asia, South America, everywhere. It’s a fairly young squad. Not too many returning veterans.
“We’re still building off the Meadowdale victory. It was an incredible win.”
The change at head coach means the players are still getting acclimated to Camden’s coaching style and philosophy.
“Mentally right now they are still trying to figure out stuff,” Camden said. “They are getting used to that I am the new coach. The last couple of games have been a struggle for us.”
Lynnwood has yet to add to the victory column following losses to Shorecrest and Edmonds-Woodway last week. League play is scheduled to start this week.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Camden said. “The players are very strong at practice. The boys are dedicated.”
A key veteran the Royals will be relying on is returning senior goalkeeper Emiliano Suarez. He works with a professional soccer trainer, Camden noted.
“It’s great to have him back,” he said. “He’s playing on a select team out of Shoreline. He’s been recruited by a ton of college scouts.”
At 6-foot-3, Suarez covers a lot of ground and he can be quite acrobatic with some of his saves.
“Just his extensions are incredible,” Camden said. “When he goes out and dives, he’s horizontal … He’s a leader on and off the field and a captain.”
Balls from Suarez’s kicks sometimes end up 60 yards down the field.
Once a quiet player, Suarez now speaks up.
“He said to me, ‘Coach, I have a lot more to say,’” Camden recalled. “He’s a very vocal guy.”
Defense figures to be Lynnwood’s strength with the return of Shevchuk, Mohamed Jama and Alieu Mbye. Newcomer Eric Miramontes brings a football mentality to the defense.
“I’m very confident in our defense out of anything on the field,” Camden said.
The midfield saw the biggest influx of new players and is led by Luis Mendoza, who moved up from junior varsity. White and senior Nathan Schmidt are up front.
“Part of my philosophy is that I want to try and get the kids who are motivated and dedicated and guaranteed to be at practice day in and day out,” Camden said. “I want players who are going to give 110 percent.”
Moving into a brand new school has meant an increased interest in the program.
“We’re just now looking to move forward,” Camden said.
Unlike previous years, most of the players on varsity play either club or select soccer during the offseason. That development marks a departure for the Royals.
“Lynnwood never really had select players,” Camden said. “We can be competitive this year.”
The players and coaches went out to a ropes course earlier in the year and the result was a cohesiveness among a diverse group of individuals.
“They’re a true team,” Camden said. “I’m feeling pretty confident. … They have definitely improved throughout the weeks. They’re still trying to figure out some of the coaching changes, but I told them no matter what happens with the coaches, we are one unit.”
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