A strong body of veteran players should give the Cedarcrest girls soccer team a leg up in its traditional hunt for Cascade League glory.

Cedarcrest took third in the Cascade Conference last season, advanced to the state playoffs and fell in the second round.

Top returning players include McKenna Swanson, Maggie Pleis, Lauren Rodger, and Laura Hisler. Newcomer Rachel Wilhelm also looks to make an impact.

Senior captain and forward Erica Debrecht “has great field vision and comprehension of the tactics of the match,” said coach Denis Watts, back for his third season. Senior Marissa Keefe, a captain and goalkeeper, is returning after multiple knee injuries sidelined her in prior seasons. She is focused and working hard for her final year.

Midfielder Brenna Eldredge was a standout cross country runner in prior years, but as the youngest daughter of a true soccer family, she could not resist playing soccer in her final year.

Another senior, goalkeeper Jordan Cleman, is an accomplished club player returning for her final year.

The team’s goal each year is to advance to District I playoffs, and hope for a good draw at state.

“The Red Wolves have a great tradition of girls soccer,” Watts said. “As recent at 2008, they were a state finalist in a game that went to a shootout to determine the 2A champion.

“I believe high school sports provides one of the truly great life experiences for these young women,” the coach added. “I coach to help enrich that experience.”

Assistants include David Debrecht, goalkeeping coach for the past three years, and Evan Hatch, new JV coach.

Recent Cedarcrast grads playing at college level include Ashton Griffen, a freshman at Southern Oregon University, and Kori Butterfield, a freshman goalkeeper at Central Washington University.