Ellensburg girls soccer coach David Flores came into last season thinking it would be somewhat of a rebuilding year. But despite having just two seniors on the roster, the Bulldogs barely missed out on winning the CWAC district championship, falling to East Valley in penalty kicks.
This year, Flores returns a wealth of varsity experience while the rest of the league’s top contenders lost large chunks of their lineups to graduation. Not surprisingly, the CWAC coaches voted the Bulldogs to finish No. 1 in an otherwise balanced conference race.
“I think we’ve got a good chance to win the league, but with all the talent in Yakima and the Lower Valley, it would be a huge sign of disrespect if we didn’t think it was up for grabs,” said Flores, who brings back nine starters for his second year at the helm. “We almost got it done last year, so we’re extra motivated. We went through some growing pains last year, and now we have a group that’s ready to go even farther.”
Leading the way during the Bulldogs’ 2-1 preseason start have been sophomore striker Brea Potucek, an all-CWAC first-team selection, senior attacker Makena Shaw (second team), junior Haley Bostwick (second team) and senior midfielder Faith Rector.
The team also relies heavily on an experienced back line that features four returning starters in Ella Henderson, Quinn Watterson, Hannah Moore and Avery Leist, along with three-year starting goalkeeper Katie Burton. Flores also tipped his cap to senior midfielder Brynlee Anderson, junior attacker Emory Wallace, and sophomore winger Mallie O’Brien.
“I feel very fortunate to have the players we have,” the coach said. “We’ve built a really strong culture, and so far, we have picked up where we left off last season. We are still adjusting to the loss of Ellie (Markus) and Molly (Moffatt), but the girls have been pulling their own weight, and we are moving in the right direction.”
The Bulldogs absorbed a 2-1 loss to 4A West Valley to start the season but wasted no time ramping up the offense in the next two games, scoring nine goals in wins over Moses Lake and Sunnyside.
Potucek, a three-sport standout as a freshman, tallied all five goals in a 5-4 win over Moses Lake on Sept. 10 before taking a back seat in the 4-0 win over Sunnyside last Saturday.
“Brea is so humble that she wanted to focus on supporting the team in our next game,” Flores said. “She has such a strong character, and she is willing to sacrifice for her teammates rather than taking all the glory. That’s the kind of winning attitude we’re going to need as the season goes along.”
CONFERENCE OVERVIEWS
CBBN: Four-time defending district champion WENATCHEE is hoping this year will be different after four consecutive first-round state ousters. Senior first-team selections Berkeley Boles and Logan Grosdider will lead a balanced attack, along with second-teamer Sophia Garcia and sophomore Kam Garcia. Junior defender Annie Detamore brings experience to the back line in front of sophomore goalkeeper Aly Adan. … Returning CBBN Offensive Player of the Year Vianey Esquivel hopes to propel EISENHOWER to a district championship after narrowly missing out on a state berth last season. The Cadets are off to a 4-1 start and feature an experienced lineup that includes winger Hadley Hanchett, midfielders Aiyanna Ochoa, Eva Timm and Maarea Ketcham, and defender Emely Badillo. … WEST VALLEY is looking for a return to the state tournament behind sophomore first-team pick Aspen Austin, second-teamer Sloane Kneisler and honorable mention goalkeeper Lillian Anderson.
Returning all-leaguers
First team – Forwards: Mikenzie Chandler, Eastmont, sr.; Vianey Esquivel, Eisenhower, sr.; Lindsey Davis, Moses Lake, sr.; Logan Grosdidier, Wenatchee, sr. Midfielders: Maarea Ketcham, Eisenhower, so.; Kamery Char, Moses Lake, sr.; Berkeley Boles, Wenatchee, sr. Defenders: Emely Badillo, Eisenhower, sr.; Cayla Throneberry, Moses Lake, sr.; Aspen Austin, West Valley, so.
Second Team – Forwards: Malia Lehman, Eastmont, jr.; Sophia Garcia, Wenatchee, sr. Midfielders: Patricia Delgado, Davis, sr.; Hadley Hanchett, Eisenhower, so.; Aiyanna Ochoa, Eisenhower, so.; Annie Detamore, Wenatchee, jr. Defenders: Allison Villarreal, Eisenhower, sr.; Mayrin Dominguez, Sunnyside, jr. Goalkeeper: Jayden Gaspar, Sunnyside, sr.
Honorable Mention – Forwards: Miley Ramirez, Eisenhower, sr.; Natalie Lopez, Sunnyside, so.; Kam Garcia, Wenatchee, so. Midfielders: Mia Pena, Davis, sr.; Mikayla Sawyer, Moses Lake, so.; Mia Garcia, Sunnyside, sr.; Ellison Eastman, Wenatchee, jr. Defenders: Lina Pena, Davis; Janel Cerda, Eastmont, sr.; Stella Betes, Moses Lake, sr.; Fynlee Smith, Wenatchee, jr.; Sloan Kneisler, West Valley, jr.
Goalkeeper: Jaylyn Calixtro, Davis, jr.; Lillian Anderson, West Valley, sr.
MCC: Defending league champion CHIAWANA is hoping to bounce back after failing to emerge from the district tournament despite a 9-0 conference record. The Riverhawks are led by senior second-team attacker Sawyer Chubb, second-team midfielder Nicole Mills, and defenders Amaya Garcia-Thompson and Addi Bunger … Second-place finisher RICHLAND will look for a return to the 4A state tournament behind first-team forward Kearyn Elfering and junior defenders Bella Arroyo and Lauren Lindley … KAMIAKIN returns first-team midfielder Taylor Schumacher as it looks to hold on to the third spot in the conference after a 10-2 finish a year ago. … KENNEWICK is looking to move up the table with help from second-team forward Danica Long, forward Cynthia King and defender Leah Thompson.
Returning all-leaguers
First Team – Forward: Kearyn Elfering Richland, jr. Midfield: Taylor Schumacher, Kamiakin, sr. Defender: Bella Arroyo Richland, sr.
Second Team – Forward: Sawyer Chubb, Chiawana, sr.; Danica Long, Kennewick, sr. Midfield: Nicole Mills, Chiawana, jr. Defender: Roslynn Olivera, Chiawana (was at Pasco), jr.; Amaya Garcia-Thompson, Chiawana, sr.; Casey Mackay, Southridge, sr. Goalkeeper: Ava Tamez, Sageview, so.
Honorable Mention – Forward: Cynthia King, Kennewick, so. Midfield: Samara Licon Carrea, Sageview, jr.; Gianna Williams, Hanford, sr.; Jameelah Almarama, Pasco, so. Defender: Addi Bunger, Chiawana, jr.; Lauren Lindley, Richland, sr.; Leah Thompson, Kennewick, so. Goalkeeper: Claire Coates, Hanford, sr.
CWAC: 2025 league and district champ EAST VALLEY lost six starters, including Offensive MVP Ariana Lopez, to graduation. But the Red Devils — picked second in the coaches poll — still have first-team selections Natalie Mendoza (F) and Rebecca Swearingen (D), and second-team picks Allie Fries (M), Kinley Manrique (D) and Giselle Acevedo (F). … SELAH was picked third despite graduating a strong core of seniors. First-team defenders Savannah Close-Schibig and Bentlie Webster will anchor the back line along with second-team goalkeeper Lacy Patterson. Junior midfielder Maddie Phinney will assume a leadership role for a Vikings team that has no seniors on the roster. … QUINCY is off to a 4-0 preseason start and returns senior second-team defender Emiko Kondo and junior midfielder Hailey Courtade. … OTHELLO could be a dark horse with 11 returning starters, including two all-leaguers in striker Mya Rivera and defender Piper Uebelacker. Seniors Brooklyn Hillman, Aliyah Ruelas and Miriam Garcia will also play key roles for the Huskies.
Returning all-Leaguers
First team – Defenders: Savannah Close-Schibig, jr., Selah; Rebecca Swearingen, sr., East Valley; Bentlie Webster, so., Selah. Forwards: Natalie Mendoza, jr., East Valley; Brea Potucek, so., Ellensburg.
Second team – Goalkeeper: Lacy Patterson, so., Selah. Defenders: Emiko Kondo, sr., Quincy; Kinley Manrique, sr., East Valley; Maite Rodriguez, sr., Toppenish; Alexis St. Mary, jr., Ephrata. Midfielders: Allison Fries, sr., East Valley. Forwards: Mya Rivera, jr., Othello; Makena Shaw, sr., Ellensburg.
Honorable mention – Goalkeeper: Aiyana Valle, jr., Ephrata. Defenders: Abbygail Castaneda, jr., Grandview; Parker Gordon, jr., Othello; Ezri Roy, sr., Prosser; Piper Uebelacker, so., Othello. Midfielders: Haley Bostwick, jr., Ellensburg; Hailey Courtade, jr., Quincy; Maddie Phinney, jr., Selah. Forwards: Arlene Bolanos, sr., Quincy; Paige Murray, jr., Ephrata; Brooklynn Sieverkropp, sr., Ephrata.
SCAC: District champion CASHMERE will look to repeat its 2025 success, which ended in the 1A quarterfinals with a 1-0 loss to Montesano. Senior first-team selections Brynne Patrick (F), Gwen Ledesma (M) and Addie Talley (M) will join junior second-teamer Makelah Gatens (F) to create a potent attack for the Bulldogs … Junior Offensive Player of the Year Emmaria Mendoza will guide an experience NACHES VALLEY squad, which finished second in the district tournament. Junior Elizabeth Ramirez and senior Finley Hahn-Keenan also represented the Rangers on the first team, and will be joined by second-teamers Emary Rowe and Carson Denney. … Likewise, ROYAL expects to be in the mix after finishing third last season. The Knights are led by senior midfielder Maggie Frank, sophomore forward Lauren Wardenaar, junior defender Hali Christensen and junior goalkeeper Grace Soliz.
Returning all-leaguers
Player of the Year: Emmaria Mendoza, Naches Valley, jr.
First team – Forward: Emmaria Mendoza, Naches Valley, jr.; Brynne Patrick, Cashmere, sr.; Elizabeth Ramirez, Naches Valley, jr. Midfielder – Maggie Frank, Royal, sr.; Gwen Ledesma, Cashmere, sr.; Ale Rodriguez, Wahluke, jr.; Addie Talley, Cashmere, sr. Defender: Finley Hahn-Keenan, Naches Valley, sr. Goalkeeper: Grace Soliz, Royal, jr. Forward/defense: Ashya Erazo, Wahluke, sr.
Second team – Forward: Makelah Gatens, Cashmere, jr.; Lauren Wardenaar, Royal, so. Midfielder: Emary Rowe, Naches Valley, jr. Defender: Hali Christensen, Royal, jr.; Carson Denney, Naches Valley, so.; Shelby Messner, Kiona-Benton, jr. Goalkeeper: Emma Niemeyer, College Place, jr.
Third team – Midfielder: Tatum Ficker, Cashmere, jr.; Keyla Garduno, Wahluke, jr.; Morgan Harlow, Wahluke, sr.; Elle Jacobson, Cashmere, so.; Jalissa Meza, Wapato, jr.; Cosette Wright, Naches Valley, sr. Goalkeeper: Katrina Heilman, Zillah, sr.
