MARYSVILLE — Marysville-Pilchuck’s senior team captain Ariaan Cardenas is focused on leading his team’s new offense into a successful soccer season.

“I just want to help my team,” Cardenas said, whether that’s scoring goals or passing from assists.

Much of the scoring output last season was done by now-graduated forward Sebastian Navarro. Cardenas is confident that the team now can work as a cohesive scoring unit.

“Since we had Sebastian, we expected him to do most of the work,” Cardenas said. “Now everyone’s been pushing.”

On March 12, the Tomahawks did just that with Cardenas starting off his season with a hat-trick scoring three of M-P’s goals in a 5-3 win against Stanwood.

As a result, he is the Marysville Globe-Arlington Times Athlete of the Week.

Cardenas is a speedy forward with great footwork, but also has composure, his coach Paul Bartley said.

“He’s calm on the ball and makes it look easy,” Bartley said. “He’s graceful because he’s always under control.”

Cardenas could easily lead the team in goals, the only thing in his way his himself, Bartley said.

“He’s always had the potential,” Bartley said. “He just needs to believe in himself. I told him the only thing that’s holding him back is what he thinks.”

Cardenas also sees his importance as one of the team’s captains. Especially the communication aspect.

“I just want to make sure everyone understands each other,” Cardenas said. “Like if there’s conflict on the field, we want to clear that up and not get into each other’s heads.”

Soccer is all Cardenas has played in his life, he said. He likes the way the game is played with his feet and, “you have to be smart about it,” in order to achieve a goal, he said.

Cardenas has been getting invites from colleges but nothing is firm yet, he said. He wants to play through college and become a pro.

At the moment, Cardenas is just happy how well his team has played so far.

“I think if we keep playing that way, we can make it far this year,” Cardenas said.