Lopez High school soccer is ranked #1 in state at start of the season

by Declan O’Malley

Sounder contributor

Lopez Island High School soccer has started its 2024 season ranked #1 in the state Lopez Island High School (Lopez) Soccer has started its 2024 season ranked #1 in the state and off to a 3-0 record [at the time of this article, on October 2).

At the end of September, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association released its rankings, which featured Lopez atop the state’s 2B/1B soccer rankings based on its Rating Percentage Index.

Lopez achieved the top rank after topping Friday Harbor 2-1 on Sept. 20, and the team and their coach, Mycah Kraushaar, were thrilled with the honor. The Lobos would go on to win their next three games.

“I’m not sure we’ve ever ranked number one. It’s not a ranking we are running with, as we have only played one game so far this season, but it was certainly a big win. If I’ve taught them anything, I certainly hope that they go into every game giving 100 percent of what they have, despite their record, wins or losses,” said Kraushaar.

The coach explained that historically, Lopez has been left out of the inter-island rivalries because there has been little competition.

“But that isn’t true anymore. We ended last season holding Friday Harbor to one goal, and they made it to the state semifinals. They are, historically, a very good team, and we have a lot of respect for them! Starting the season with that win is the kind of momentum we needed,” Kraushaar said.

Last season, Lopez lost to Friday Harbor High School 6-0, so the team sees this year’s win as a significant boost to morale heading into a demanding regular season schedule.

“All of the teams in our league have strengths and have provided their challenges, but I anticipate the same top contenders will give us trouble: Orcas, Providence, Mount Vernon Christian and Friday Harbor … I will be proud of them no matter the score of those games, but it certainly feels good going into them confident that it’ll be a fight, no matter the outcome,” said Kraushaar in a statement to the Sounder and Weekly.

Despite the challenges of playing on an island without some of the access to soccer resources, Coach Kraushaar is proud to see the players respond and battle.

“Watching these kids claw their way to the top is unbelievably rewarding. They deserve every moment of attention they receive for it. They’ve worked for it, and I’m so excited to see what the rest of the season brings,” said Kraushaar.