The Duluth Denfeld girls' soccer team opened its season with a 5-2 victory over Roseville on Monday, a result that underscored the squad's rapid evolution from a tentative start to a confident performance.
Coach Welhouse’s Vision
Guiding the team is first‑year head coach Cass Welhouse, who transitioned from an assistant role at Duluth East to the helm of Denfeld this year. Welhouse inherited a roster marked by youth, with only six seniors and nine players who are sophomores or younger.
The match featured standout contributions from freshmen Coco Flaig and Amara Crowell, as well as seventh‑grader Winnie Casillas, each of whom recorded their first varsity goals. Ava Davis also netted a penalty kick to open the scoring, while Luci Chastey, an All‑State selection from the previous season, was absent from the lineup.
Coach Welhouse highlighted the team's improved communication and positioning, noting that quick transitions and precise passing became hallmarks of their play. Emma Johnson, the new transfer from Lakeview Christian Academy, earned praise after making five saves in the game and ten over the season‑opening loss to Grand Rapids.
Roseville coach Karl Jende observed the Hunters' growing chemistry, especially among the freshmen and sophomores, and acknowledged the positive impact of the younger players on the field.
Looking ahead, Denfeld will travel to Two Harbors on September 8 for a 6 p.m. contest, a game that will test whether the early momentum can be sustained as the schedule toughens.
The victory not only marks the team's first win but also signals a promising foundation for a program that is blending inexperience with emerging leadership.