Polk County Sports
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 17, 2016 11A
COLLEGE SOCCER
WOU soccer faces steep challenge
Wolves hope to bounce back from disappointing 2015 with a return to GNAC tourney
By Lukas Eggen
WOU Soccer
The Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH — Throughout
his tenure, Western Oregon soccer
coach Steve Ancheta has experi-
enced just how difficult it can be to
build a program in the Great
Northwest Athletic Conference.
During his five seasons, he’s led
the Wolves to the conference tour-
nament twice, advancing to the
semifinals in 2013.
But the Wolves finished 8-8-1
overall and 4-7-1 in GNAC play in
2015, missing the GNAC tourna-
ment for the second year in a row.
“We have to work hard and push
to challenge those top teams,” An-
cheta said. “There’s no slouch in
our league. There’s no room to take
a day off.”
WOU is out to stop that trend —
though it won’t be easy.
Western Oregon will need to
find new scoring options after los-
ing its top two goal scorers — who
were responsible for 11 of the
team’s 25 goals — from a season
ago to graduation.
The Wolves will rely on a group
of returning seniors to pick up the
slack.
“I like my core group of seniors
coming back that have been
around me for a long time,” An-
cheta said. “They’re setting the
Head coach: Steve Ancheta
(sixth season).
2015 record: 8-8-1 overall; 4-
7-1 Great Northwest Athletic
Conference.
Key returners: Taylor Higa, sr.,
forward/midfield; Dani Payne, sr.,
midfield; Savannah Bogan, sr., for-
ward; Mariah Konyn, sr., midfield;
Allison Sprecher, sr., defense.
Significant stat: 25 — The
number of goals the Wolves
scored during the 2015 season.
LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer file
Western Oregon senior Taylor Higa will help lead the Wolves’ midfielders during the 2016 season.
tone early and we’re excited to get
out there.”
Seniors Taylor Higa, Dani Payne
and Mariah Konyn will anchor the
midfield with Savannah Bogan as-
sisting on the attack.
Senior midfielder Dani Payne
and defender Allison Sprecher will
also play a key role for the Wolves.
“They are some quality girls who
will have some opportunities to
play some minutes for us,” An-
cheta said.
With a little over two weeks from
the start of official practices on
Monday until the team’s first
match on Sept. 1, the challenge is
greater than simply adjusting to
new team roles or bringing along
new faces on the field.
Just as important is developing
the relationships between players
— no easy task given the short pe-
riod of time before matches begin.
“We have to make sure we’re all
on the same page,” Ancheta said.
“You can’t just focus on the soccer
ball. We have to work hard and de-
velop that chemistry — that’s the
big key is having quality team
chemistry from the get go.”
Finding that chemistry could be
the difference between a return to
the conference tournament and
another season of going home
early.
“We’re going to put out a good
product,” Ancheta said. “We have
athletes who love to work and feel
good about the jersey they’re put-
ting on. We’ll fight every match for
what we deserve.”
Float: River race course lasts nearly 12 miles
Continued from Page 10A
Woolsey and Stilligan had
their curiosity piqued after
seeing fliers during Sum-
merfest.
The pair was looking for-
ward to a relaxing trek down
the Willamette River.
“I don’t care if we come in
dead last,” Stilligan said. “It’s
just about having fun.”
John and Kathleen Hill, of
Salem, also took part in the
race for the first time. The
couple moved from Florida
19 years ago.
“Being from Florida, the
river has intimidated us,”
Kathleen said. “In Florida, we
had swamps and alligators.
This one has fast water and
Mother Nature. I’ll take an al-
ligator over the current, but
we figured we’d be safer with
a group, and you’re out here
with a lot of cool people.”
The race, organized by the
Networking Exchange Club
of Salem, began in the 1970s.
Since then, it’s become a
tradition for many to enjoy
an afternoon out on the
water.
Despite the name, it’s not
all about who finishes first
— it’s more about floating
away on a summer day.
“It’s so easy to get people
out,” Litke said. “You just
need a tube and you can
float around. It’s perfect for
the summer.”
Ready for some football
LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer
Participants worked hard to make their crafts unique on Saturday morning.
LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer
The Great Willamette Raft Race attracts participants from all over Oregon.
LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer
Dallas high school football players practice on Tuesday
morning. Official practices began on Monday for the
fall sports season. The Dragons open the 2016 season
at home on Sept. 2 against Parkrose.
West Valley Housing Authority will hold their
Work Session Meeting on Wednesday, August
24, 2016 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at 204 SW
Walnut in Dallas, Oregon. The Regular Meet-
ing will be held on Wednesday, August 24,
2016 at 1:00 p.m. at 204 SW Walnut in Dallas,
Oregon. An Executive Session pursuant to
ORS 192.660 will be held immediately follow-
ing the Regular Meeting, if required.
Agenda for the meeting is posted on the Housing
Authority website at www.wvpha.org. The loca-
tion for the meeting is handicapped accessible.
Please advise the West Valley Housing Authority
if you need any special accommodations to
attend the meeting. For information, please call
503-623-8387, TDD 1-800-735-2900.