LAKEWOOD Lakewood soccer coach Vaughn Vandalac couldnt be happier about his teams start to the season.
The Cougars capped off a winning week with a 6-1 thumping of league opponent Coupeville to go 1-0 in conference and 3-0 overall.
Its a different mindset this year, Vandalac said after the March 15 win.
While the Cougars have plenty of firepower between junior forward Evander Ochoa and sophomore midfielder Joseph Hawkins, who have combined for 10 of Lakewoods 13 goals scored so far this season, the team demonstrated depth on offense with goals scored by midfielders Brian Star, Craig Hooks and Nate Black, and regular threats from several more players.
The defense has held up through the early tests as well, anchored by the trio of seniors goalkeeper Peter Karrenberg and defenders Eric Hawks and Andrew Priest. Karrenberg gave up only one goal so far, in the March 13 contest at Blaine, while his backup allowed the other with 20 minutes left in the game against Coupeville.
Hawkins had a hat trick against Coupeville, the teams second so far after Evander Ochoa perfomed the feat in a 5-1 win over Blaine March 13.
Lakewood opened their season with a 2-0 win over Burlington-Edison.
Weve been talking about it, coming out strong, Vandalac said. We adopted the we, not me theory and the kids bought into it.
Games against Sultan March 18 and Cedarcrest March 25 will provide a better barometer of Lakewoods strength the two conference opponents went 1-2 in the standings last season, securing playoff berths with 11-3 records. Coupeville didnt fare quite as well, though a close game match last season seemed still on the minds of Lakewood returning players.
They came out pretty strong last year, Vandalac said. I reminded them, you cant come out slow.
You always want to start the season 3-0, he added.