The second edition of The Sunday Stroll - 2014 Season Preview will cover the SPSL/Narrows, Olympic & WESCO/Northwest conferences. Stay tuned next Monday for the Eastern and Central South previews, as well as recaps of all the games and jamborees happening this coming weekend.

SPSL/Narrows/Olympic Conference Previews:

(Please Note: Previews are listed in alphabetical order within each conference.)

DIVISION I – SPSL/Narrows Conference

Auburn Riverside

Without question Auburn Riverside is the team to beat. Five of last year’s top scorers are returning, including Joey and Michael Lucchesi, who will be headed to play NCAA Division II at the University of Tampa next year. Between the Lucchesis, Dane Barber and Gordon Nelson at midfield, and 25 goal scorer Keenan Fagan at midfield, opposing teams will have a lot to deal with. With a group of players responsible for 183 points returning, and having made the quarterfinals of the state tournament the past two years, they are a heavy favorite to win the division, and hungry to take the next step.

Bellarmine Prep

Graduating seven seniors and over 95% of their points from last year, there will be lots of opportunities for players to step up. The Lions will most certainly be looking to David Vanderwall (sophomore/attack), third in points on the team as a freshman, to continue his progress and play above what his experience would indicate.

Curtis

Curtis is graduating nine seniors (the most in conference). New Coach Rod Amell will have some work to do. Last year the Vikings had a balanced offense getting as much scoring from their attack as from their midfielders. The Vikings are returning the core of their midfield in Alex Brydson (senior), Beau Olson (senior), and Trevor Warren (Junior).

Emerald Ridge – Puyallup

With an experienced group (nine returning seniors) ER-P will look to take advantage of league realignment to make a statement this year. They will be leaning heavily on Senior Captain, and last year’s team leader in points, Brandon Sechriest.

Gig Harbor

Having split with Peninsula, Gig Harbor will be looking to not just hold serve but continue improving. While coach Kemp’s team won’t have as much Division I experience as other Division I teams in this conference, there are opportunities to make a splash and surprise some teams

Stadium

After a year in Division II where they won their conference, coach Serrianne and the Tigers return to Division I play. Coach Serrianne will be looking to build momentum on last year’s success, but with the majority of last year’s scoring coming from seniors, they will have their work cut out for them. Players to watch will be seniors Harold Dillman (attack), and Edgar Valentine (attack/midfield).

Tahoma

Over the years Tahoma has become known for their physical style of play, but don’t overlook this rapidly maturing group. Coach Johnson has supplemented the physicality with good fundamentals. Graduating only a single senior from last year’s roster, Tahoma returns the most intact roster in the conference. Players to watch this year are juniors Hudson Taylor (midfield), and Dakoda Barger (attack).

Division II – Olympic Conference

Klahowya

Graduating seven seniors from last year’s roster, Klahowya will be returning five of their top seven offensive points leaders. Joe Hawley made the All-Conference team as one of the only two underclassmen in the conference to do so. Other players to watch are Elliot James (sophomore/attack), Ben Zimny (senior/attack), and Austin Keller (sophomore/midfield).

North Kitsap

After being knocked out of the playoffs in the first round last year North Kitsap will be looking to bounce back. Their success may depend largely on how quickly the defensive half of the field can gel. Offensively they are returning three of their top four points leaders in Kelson Arthurs (sophomore/midfield), Dylan Taylor (senior/attack/captain), and Matt Dotterweich (sophomore/attack).

Peninsula

Coach Tracy Lyon will be leading Peninsula on their inaugural campaign after breaking away from Gig Harbor. This might be their first year on their own, but they’re no rookies. Coach Lyon will be looking to sophomore attackman Bryce Wilder to shoulder the load. Of note: both of last year’s rostered goalies went to Gig Harbor in the split.

Port Angeles

Port Angeles only graduated two seniors from last year and return a senior heavy, experienced team. Their Defense will take a step back with the graduation of Logan Alward, but as a whole look to see an improved team. Players to watch this season are Connor Leslie (junior/attack) and Eric Prosser (junior/midfield).

South Kitsap

South Kitsap will be looking to take advantage of the new found parity in the league this year. The team will be led by senior captain Ben Tighe (attack).

Vashon

Graduating four seniors from last year, the Pirates will have their defensive half of the field largely intact from last year. Expect them to improve dramatically over last year’s 2-10 record, and compete for a playoff spot this season. Player to watch - captain Griffith Jennings (senior/attack).

Wesco/Northwest Conference Previews:

(Please Note: Previews are listed in alphabetical order within each conference.)

DIVISION I

Everett

After graduating nine, including the combined 139 points from Ian Strong and Jared Hawkins, Everett makes the move to DI behind some very talented players. One of the highest-scoring DII teams over the last few years, Everett will focus more on the defensive end in 2014 led by junior goalie, Brad Strong, and senior defenseman, Jamison Beretta. Junior midfielder, Nathan Hanold, has his hands full carrying the offensive legacy Everett is known for.

Kamiak

The recipe for success will be simple this year for Kamiak. The offense will need to make up for the graduation of 3rd team D1 All-State goalie, Nick Gregory. That shouldn’t be too hard behind sophomore attack standout, Steele Fosth and junior midfielder, Miles Craggs. Senior, Beck Davis is expected to be the best of a young Kamiak defense.

Sehome-Bellingham

New Head Coach Tyler Farrar is welcomed by a move to DI and a wealth of talented players. Farrar has experience coaching at the DI level, having coached Sammamish back in 2012. Senior goalie, Andrew Hoeman is headed to NCAA Division 2 Rollins College, and was a 1st team All-Skagit Conference performer last season. Senior Defender Alyis Clark will anchor a strong and experienced defense. All Skagit Conference Senior Chance Clymer will lead a very strong midfield. If Sehome-Bellingham has any weakness it could be at attack after graduating all three starters.

Snohomish

Returning two 3rd team Division I All-State players in senior defender, Davyd Powell, and senior attackman, Jarrett Toy, gives Snohomish a jump on the top spot in the conference. After spending his freshman season starting for Snohomish, Toy spent his sophomore and junior years at Eastside Catholic before transferring back to his resident public school. It will give Snohomish a much needed scoring boost along with senior attack, Gabe Girgus, and junior utility player, Miles Russon. Snohomish should be much improved and have a playoff berth in their sights.

DIVISION II

Burlington-Edison

The program is in the middle of rebuilding mode after two consecutive years graduating its top scorers. But behind a solid net minder in senior, Colin Davis, the Flyers can give any team in the league a run for their money. Junior Connor McCandless will be tasked with leading a young and inexperienced offense as the most experienced returner.

Lynden

After graduating six players whom earned All-Skagit Conference recognition at some point in their careers, some would say Lynden is in a rebuilding year. But don’t tell the Cavaliers that. They are return a solid midfield cast in juniors, Blake Browning and Jared Moffat as well as senior Bryce Garcia. On the defensive side, senior LSM, Troy Nydam, hopes to lead the Cavs even deeper in the DII playoffs.

Meadowdale

First year coach and Snohomish alumnus, Nathan Wirtz steps into a great situation. Having only graduated three 3 players, the Chiefs return one of the most experienced and talented groups in the conference and are ready to make a run at the playoffs. Senior midfielder, Jordan Tindall and junior midfielder, Gavin Hardwick lead the team on the offensive end, while senior defenseman, Niko May and junior goalie, Connor Daniel anchor the defense.

Monroe

The Bearcats look to sophomore keeper Loren Hartzell to help improve a young defense that was outscored by over 80 last year. Junior attackman Dillon Bull should take on the bulk of the scoring load with Matthew Morris back playing for Providence. Monroe should get that elusive first league win this year. The real question is - can they win enough to reach the post-season?

Providence

After a year hiatus in 2013, Providence returns though young and still a little thin on numbers. Junior attackman, Matthew Morris brings some offensive firepower to a team that hasn’t played together for over a year. Junior, Paul Johnson is the best on the defensive end for the Highlanders.

Shorecrest

After an early exit from the playoffs a year ago, Shorecrest is capable of a deeper run based on their returning offensive talent. Senior attackman Ethan Jensen and sophomore midfielder Briggan Weaver represent 60% of the scoring from last year. Junior goalkeeper Brooks-Neal Payton looks to improve on his 11 GAA from last season.

Stanwood

The loss of the best utility player in all of Division II (Frank Medlicott) will be a tough transition, but shouldn’t slow down the Spartans too much. This talented group returns leading scorer, sophomore Jack Delich at attack, with sophomore CJ Hillbrand and junior Kane Ayling at midfield. Junior goalie Jeremy Smith returns with another year under his belt and should be ready to keep the nets clean. Stanwood should challenge for a playoff spot.

2014 - Preseason All-Wesco/Northwest Teams

A Jarrett Toy 12 Snohomish A Ethan Jensen 12 Shorecrest

A Steele Fosth 10 Kamiak A Jack Delich 10 Stanwood

A Gabe Girgus 12 Snohomish A Charlie Baillergeon 11 Meadowdale

M Chance Clymer 12 Sehome-Bellingham M Briggan Weaver 10 Shorecrest

M Miles Cragg 11 Kamiak M Blake Browning 11 Lynden

M Jordan Tindall 12 Meadowdale M Jared Moffat 11 Lynden

M Miles Russon 11 Snohomish M Nathan Hanold 11 Everett

D Davyd Powell 12 Snohomish D Spencer Donnalson 11 Kamiak

D Niko May 12 Meadowdale D Troy Nydam 12 Lynden

D Jameson Beretta 12 Everett D Alyis Clark 12 Sehome-Bellingham

D Beck Davis 12 Kamiak D Noah Black 11 Sehome-Bellingham

G Andrew Hoeman 12 Sehome-Bellingham G Brad Strong 11 Everett

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