Bull’s-eye on Griz

A year ago, all eyes were on the Shorecrest High School boys soccer team as it tried to repeat as Class 3A state champion, and that was just fine for then-first-year Glacier Peak coach Shannon Murray. It allowed the second-year program to sneak up on just about everyone and in the end, it was the Grizzlies who stood atop the heap after beating Mount Rainier 2-1 in overtime to win the state title.

This year, Murray is well aware that those same eyes that followed the Scots are focused squarely on his squad.

“Last year Shorecrest had the bull’s-eye on them and that allowed us to float under the radar,” Murray said. “This year the players understand that the bull’s-eye is on us. They are really well aware of that.”

While Glacier Peak won the state title, it didn’t do so in dominating fashion. The Grizzlies lost twice to Shorecrest and were hammered 4-0 by Mount Vernon in the district tournament. They survived a shootout in the semifinals and the overtime title game with a freshman backup goalie in the net.

But along the way, Glacier Peak also learned what it takes to be the best team in the state, and Murray said that will pay dividends.

“We have 10 returning senior players and 13 total returners,” Murray said. “These are guys who went through a lot together last year, they know what they have to do and they’ve been really committed to doing that and that’s been great to see.”

Glacier Peak does have plenty back, but it’s hard to overlook who isn’t here anymore. The Grizzlies lost five all-league players, including 2010 Herald Player of the Year Rylan Kautz, the leader of an outstanding Glacier Peak defense.

And while his defense should still be very good, Murray said there’s no replacing someone as talented as Kautz. Senior Michael Windrim moves into Kautz’s center defense spot where he’ll line up next to all-league defender Jordan Steranka.

“The next person who comes along will bring his own style,” Murray said. “Rylan was a really quiet kid, as were most of those seniors. This senior group is more vocal and Michael is like that.”

Steranka and Windrim lead an outstanding backline that also includes sophomore Kyle Bjornethun, who started every game as a freshman and won a national title for Washington’s Olympic Development Program team earlier this year. They play in front of senior goalkeeper Andrew Weakley, who missed the state semifinals and final because he was in Florida with his club team.

“We’re going to be really stout in the back,” Murray said. “We’ve got a lot of experience back there. That’s not a spot I’m worried about.”

So, what about on offense? Last season, Glacier Peak scored a lot of goals, and while Murray doesn’t expect his team to be quite as prolific this season, he does expect to be able to generate enough offense to support his defense.

Leading the way will be senior Shane Miller, who led the team in scoring as a sophomore two years ago and scored the game-winning goal in the state final. There’s also midfielder Gregor Troost to distribute the ball and be a threat.

“We’re taking on new challenges this year,” Murray said. “It’s going to be different for us but we’re excited about that and looking forward to it. The players understand that it will probably be more difficult because of what happened last year, but they seem really excited by that challenge.”