On the night of the scheduled date, the Port Angeles Roughriders soccer team will take the field for its season opener, hosting the Klahowya Eagles at home. The matchup marks the beginning of a campaign that aims to build on last year’s 16‑5 finish and push toward a share of the Olympic League championship and a first‑round state playoff victory.
A Promising Start for the Roughriders
The roster blends experience with fresh talent, featuring seven seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and a freshman. Returning stalwarts include goalkeeper Persephone Perry, who steps into the net after Kennedy Rognlien’s graduation, and scoring leaders Emma Desjardins, the Olympic League’s top scorer from the previous season, and junior Mariah Traband, the team’s second‑leading scorer. Newcomer Lily Lancaster adds depth to the attack, while sophomore Emma Desjardins, already a proven goal‑getter, and senior three‑sport star Morgan Politika are expected to make significant contributions.
Head coach Dan Horton emphasizes a measured approach, urging the squad to take each game one step at a time. Under his guidance, the Roughriders posted a 16‑5 record last year, captured a state tournament berth, and now look to translate that regular‑season success into postseason advancement, starting with a decisive home game that follows a narrow 2‑1 win over the Eagles the prior season.
Defensively, the team will rely on the experience of senior three‑sport star Morgan Politika and sophomore Emma Desjardins, while the midfield will be anchored by the returning talent of Lily Lancaster and the emerging sophomore Emma Desjardins. The cross‑country program, led by Angie Gooding, also saw competition at the Olympic League jamboree in Allyn, underscoring the school’s broader athletic momentum.
The Klahowya Eagles finished the last season with a 10‑6‑3 record, and the Roughriders’ previous encounter ended 2‑1 in their favor, with Desjardins opening the scoring early and Traband sealing the victory in the 80th minute. As the new season unfolds, the team’s depth, leadership and coaching philosophy position them as strong contenders for both league supremacy and a deep run in the state playoffs.