GIRLS SOCCER: ‘It’s all about heart’ for Kent-Meridian

They’ve been abandoned, fallen short on the scoreboard in every manner possible, even made fun of by peers at their own school.

Yet, each weekday afternoon during the fall after the final bell sounds at Kent-Meridian High, you’ll find them out on the French Field turf or behind the school practicing. Getting better. Persevering. Waiting for their next opportunity.

For the girls that comprise the Royals soccer program, victories have been nearly impossible to come by this decade. In fact, K-M hasn’t won a game on the girls soccer pitch since Oct. 24, 2002 – exactly seven years ago today this Saturday – when it knocked off Enumclaw, 1-0.

Since then, the Royals have played 109 games, losing 108 and tying one entering Thursday’s contest against Jefferson. Times have changed, whether in Kent, in the country, or in the world.

And though it might not appear so on the surface or in the win column, times even have changed for the Royals. That’s because possibly more now than ever, — certainly more than in previous seasons during the past seven years — the Royals steadfastly believe their day is coming. The light at the end of the tunnel is drawing closer.

“Every game we’re progressing. The goals against us have been going down,” said freshman Emily Gordon. “I can feel it: We’re going to win. We’re fighting back against everyone. We’re just as strong as them. It’s all about heart.”

Suffice to say the Royals are ready for that big win, which no doubt will lead to tears being shed and hugs being passed out like candy on Halloween. When that moment will come, nobody knows. It might not even be this season, especially with South Puget Sound League North Division powerhouses Tahoma and Kentwood still lurking in two of Kent-Meridian’s final three games.

But it will come.

And the Royals haven’t stopped believing in its impending arrival.

“We just have to keep aiming at our goals,” freshman Jessie O’Hara said. “Eventually, we will reach them.”

Reaching their goals, believing and not giving up essentially has become the rallying cry for the K-M girls the last two seasons. And they’ve kept believing despite what they sometimes hear around campus.

“It’s really hard. People at school sometimes make fun of our team and we have to brush it off and ignore it or say, ‘Hey, you know, at least we’re out here trying,’” junior Felicia Frost said. “A lot of people would have given up by now, but we keep coming out and trying.”

SETTING THE TONE

Never giving up is a philosophy that has been ingrained in the girls by second-year coach Rene’ Kuebker, who was thrust into the role at the beginning of last season when the previous coach simply failed to show up on the first day of tryouts.

Instead of becoming a one-year Band-Aid to a program in dire need of continuity and support, Kuebker stepped forward and has created a vision for the Royals. The foundation of that vision sits on the shoulders of Kent-Meridian’s freshman class, which makes up 11 of the team’s 17 varsity players.

“I have seen a lot of changes around here,” said Kuebker, a Wisconsin native. “Big time. Big time. We’ve almost cut our goals (against) in half and we’ve scored twice (this season). Most of these girls are freshmen. If we get them in the weight room, get them running track, get them a little bigger and stronger and give them time to grow, we’re going to surprise a lot of people.

“I think that other teams are already starting to see it.”

Scoring three goals through the season’s first 12 games might seem insignificant, until considering the Royals were outscored 136-0 in 2008. The 2003 and 2005 teams also were kept off the scoreboard. So three goals is, indeed, a move in the right direction.

Many factors have led to Kent-Meridian’s struggles through the years. One of the most notable is the constant coaching carousel. Since 2002, the Royals have had five different head coaches, none of whom remained longer than two years.

“There have been a lot of coaches through the years,” said freshman Stephanie O’Hara, who is Jessie’s twin sister. “There’s been a lot of change in the program and the girls getting older graduate. There hasn’t been a secure team. It’s never set.”

Kuebker, however, insists she’ll be back next season and in years to follow.

“I will be because I’m competitive,” she said. “This is a challenge for me. I want to see something happen here. I’ve been presented with a pretty sizable challenge and I want to help make it happen. I want to see it through for the school and for the girls.”

MANY CHALLENGES

Demographics also have played a large part in K-M’s long-time struggles. The ethnically diverse school is located in the middle of more than a dozen apartment complexes and consistently includes a population that is more transient than in other Kent District schools.

In addition, most of the Kent-Meridian players simply don’t have the soccer background of their SPSL North counterparts, such as Kentwood, Kentlake and Tahoma. Those programs essentially are built with kids who play at the club level.

“It’s such a steep learning curve,” Kuebker lamented. “A lot of these other schools start the season pretty well put together. We start with a puzzle that we have to put together and then we have to develop the skill.”

Getting the players proper equipment, an issue most schools don’t have to face, also has been a challenge.

“Last year I purchased numerous pairs of socks and shin guards to equip (some of) my players,” Kuebker noted.

Then, of course, there’s the daunting schedule.

In prep sports, many programs use nonleague games as a means of preparing for league opponents, to work out the kinks and, ultimately, pick up a win or two. Kent-Meridian has played just 11 nonleague games since 2002, and just three since 2007.

That essentially has pitted the Royals against a deep SPSL North schedule all season, every season. And in the North, there are no “gimmes.” In fact, since 2002, the North’s current alignment has earned 14 state berths – Kentwood (4), Tahoma (3), Auburn Riverside (3, two of which were in the SPSL 3A), Jefferson (2), Federal Way (1) and Kentridge (1).

Despite what clearly has become an uphill battle, Kent-Meridian has made some gains through the years, especially the last two. Matter of fact, when Kuebker took over the team in 2008, she inherited just 15 total players and wasn’t able to field a junior varsity program.

This fall, the Royals are putting close to 40 girls on the field, including varsity and junior varsity teams. In addition, they have allowed fewer goals this season (73) than in any year since 2004.

For the time being, it’s all about small victories.

“We are getting better,” Kuebker said. “We look at things as simple as, ‘Tonight, we’re going to shut down the cross.’ or ‘Tonight, we’re going to tighten up the defense.’ If we do those things, we’re successful.”

Holding on to those small victories have helped the Royals keep going.

“It is really, really tough sometimes,” freshman Ashlann Wood said. “It’s hard because people at school are like, ‘Oh, you guys are going to lose,’ so people don’t really come to our games. But people have heard that we’re getting better. Every game, it seems we allow less goals and we’re connecting more of our passes. We know we’re improving and that’s how we make it through.”

And, eventually, that win will come. Everyone in a K-M uniform firmly believes it.

“We’re going to get there,” Gordon said. “We’re going to score that goal and we’re going to win. It’s going to happen. And when it does, it’s going to be really emotional.”