It looks like there are more new players than returning players, so that bodes well for the next few seasons.”

Robert Cantley, East Jefferson Rivals boys soccer coach

Robert Cantley is ready for kick-off.

The East Jefferson Rivals boys soccer coach has been hard at work preparing his athletes for the spring soccer season, starting on Thursday, March 17 versus Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma.

“I’m looking forward to this season,” Cantley said. “Our goals for the year are to continue to structure a program around camaraderie and teamwork, instilling confidence in players with positive attitudes, as well as playing to our strengths while improving player skills individually and collectively.”

After the athletics merger between Chimacum and Port Townsend high schools last year, Cantley took over as the head coach for the Rivals’ boys and girls soccer teams. He found success with the girls program in fall 2021, coaching the team to a playoff berth with five athletes making the Nisqually All-League list.

A new pool of players could greatly benefit EJ’s soccer program to be as competitive as possible, considering the new talent is a major upgrade from the previous boys soccer season last spring.

“Having the two schools combined is an obvious boost for numbers, and with East Jefferson playing in the Nisqually League means that we won’t have to fill out our schedule with games against 2A [division] opposition,” Cantley said.

“It’s difficult to build confidence when we’re constantly losing to larger programs that have access to a greater talent pool,” he explained. “We saw the effect with the girls team in the fall, that we can be competitive on the field and achieve results on a more equal basis.”

Turnout for this year’s season has been good.

“So far there are 30 players signed up, most of whom are freshmen and sophomores, so a lot of new faces will be on the field,” he said. “In fact, it looks like there are more new players than returning players, so that bodes well for the next few seasons.”

Although Cantley has grand plans for building a dynasty of soccer success in East Jefferson, his immediate intention for 2022 is to bring the Rivals to the playoffs.

“We aim to finish with a winning record and to qualify for postseason play with an eye toward getting to the state finals,” Cantley said. “A winning record is our goal, and to finish in the top four out of nine teams is certainly within our reach.”

The Nisqually League hosts some talented soccer programs across Western Washington, and the Rivals will be tested against high quality competition throughout the season.

“It’s difficult to say what our competition will be like but it’s safe to assume that Klahowya will be the team best-placed to finish on top, while Vashon and Bellevue Christian are likely to have strong teams,” Cantley said.

Wins over Klahowya and Vashon Island high schools would be extra special for Cantley, considering both squads knocked the Rivals girls soccer team out of the playoffs in a double elimination-style tournament back in the fall.

To view the East Jefferson Rivals boys soccer team’s current schedule, visit chimacumathletics.com/teams/3197270/boys/soccer/varsity/schedule.