SHORELINE — In the past, Shorewood boys soccer coach Drew Thompson has been a critic of the Wesco 4A South Division’s prolonged preseason.
There’s too many practices, too many non-league games and too many chances for injury before conference play starts up.
But working with a lineup jam-packed with new bodies this spring has turned Thompson into more of a fan of the current arrangement.
“Most years I don’t like the preseason format,” Thompson said. “This year I’m liking a seven-game preseason. It’s giving us some time to work things out.”
Having a month’s worth of non-counting games plays to the advantage of a retooling Shorewood squad that’s dealing with the loss of 10 seniors, including five all-leaguers.
“For all intents and purposes we’re a new team,” Thompson said. “We’re starting to figure out how to play with each other. We’re still experimenting with what positions guys belong in. We really don’t know what we’re going to look like yet.”
Despite an abundance of changes, the Thunderbirds expect to resemble last year’s Northwest District 4A tournament team in at least one area — defense.
Shorewood allowed just one goal in three playoff games last season before getting eliminated in a shootout by Cascade in a winner-to-state, loser-out contest.
“We’ve been having some trouble scoring goals, but we’re pretty solid defensively,” center midfielder George John said.
Four defenders graduated, but the T-birds return sweeper Blake Bernhard and marking back Drew Mack, a second-team all-league selection. The seniors are joined in the back by sophomore defender Greg Mack and senior goalkeepers Griffin Manchester and Reed Renfrow.
Shorewood’s only returning starter in the midfield is John, who earned first-team all-league honors in 2003 as a sophomore. Senior Derek Kato and junior Johnny Bruce have filled the openings at outside mid.
“We have a lot of talent in the back,” Drew Mack said. “It’s been hard to get something going up front. Everyone’s very defensive-minded. We’re moving players around, trying to find their best positions during these preseason games.”
The results have been mixed.
After getting shut out in their first two non-conference games — a 1-0 loss to Sammamish and a scoreless tie with Sedro-Woolley — the T-birds regrouped with solid showings against three Wesco South rivals.
Shorewood topped previously unbeaten Mariner 3-1 Tuesday night to improve to 2-2-1. Last week the T-birds blanked Jackson 2-0 and owned the lead for parts of their 3-2 loss to crosstown Shorecrest.
“We’re better than we think we are,” said John, who netted both of Shorewood’s goals against the Scots. “We’re getting better every game as we go along.”
While their defense and midfield are fairly settled, the T-birds continue to search for answers on offense. In Shorewood’s first three games Thompson tested out seven players at forward but didn’t hit upon a permanent combination.
“Defensively we’re as strong as we’ve ever been,” Thompson said. “We’re still looking for somebody who’s capable of putting the ball in the net on a regular basis.”
In addition to former backups taking on more substantial roles and newcomers stepping in at several positions, sickness, minor injuries and eligibility issues also contributed to Shorewood’s offensive snags.
The return of Eric Sather to the lineup has given the T-birds a boost up front. After missing three games due to a bout of mononucleosis, the senior forward netted goals in Shorewood’s wins over Jackson and Mariner.
“Right now we’re struggling to field a complete team,” Thompson said. “But I really feel that once we get the 18 players who were selected for varsity together on the field and eligible, we’re going to be pretty strong.
“One of our team goals is to get back to the playoffs. The kids who are returning got a taste of it last year and want to get back. I think we’re capable of getting back.”
The T-birds snapped a four-year postseason absence in 2003 and though their roster underwent a facelift in the offseason, Thompson pointed out that most of the league is facing similar circumstances.
“Looking at the conference, many teams lost a lot of players,” Thompson said. “We’ve got as good a chance as anybody to get back to the playoffs.”
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