Mount Si Wildcats girls soccer coach Sophie Rockow is the epitome of a local.

Rockow, who graduated from Mount Si in 2012, is fully committed to transforming the Wildcats soccer program. The second-year head coach loves the North Bend/Snoqualmie community.

“I’m very enthusiastic and passionate about this team and this program. I really want to make it into something the valley and the school can be proud of. Everything that I do is driven from that,” Rockow said. “This community is amazing. My mom taught here for over 30 years. I grew up in these gyms and on these fields. I remember watching all of the sports teams growing up. I loved those teams. Being able to come back to my old high school has been amazing. I got a lot out of those sports programs. I just want to give back and make good experiences for these kids coming through the programs now.”

Rockow said she was proud of her team’s performance during the 2017 season despite winning just four games.

“We did better than the year before (2016). We were looking for improvement and we got it. That is what we were focusing on. We had a lot of changes and shifts last year but this team took it in stride,” Rockow said.

Rockow said her team is already in peak physical condition due to a relentless work ethic in the offseason.

“We are going to be much more ready for these (KingCo) teams this year. We came in more significantly fit than we did last year. It doesn’t even compare,” Rockow said during a practice session on Aug. 25. “I had set standards for them and they all met them, which is really cool to see. They were in the weight room and were doing speed camp work all through the spring and summer. They are ready to go, are really dedicated and want to do well this year.”

Key returners this year include midfielder Sarah Creighton, defender Gabi Krueger, defender Joelle Buck and utility player Nikki Sauer.