It’s been a down few years for the Tualatin boys soccer program in terms of wins, but Head Coach Ryan Hyatt is optimistic as the team heads into the fall season.
One big reason is that he has a large group of returning players after losing only about four seniors from last year’s team.
Two of the returning players this year, seniors Miles DeGraw and Julian Rios, were voted as captains last year. Hyatt said those two, in addition to many experienced players coming back this year, are hungry to turn things around for the program.
“It’s really important to them that they get the experience they deserve,” he said. “That comes with winning. I’ve seen a lot more of them taking control and ownership of the group’s mentality. It’s been a complete 180 in how they’re showing up on time and showing up to fitness.”
Last year, the Timberwolves went 3-9-2 overall and were winless in league play. They won five games in each of the two seasons prior, and Tualatin hasn’t won a playoff game since 2019.
“They’re hungry to not have the same experience they’ve had the last couple of years,” Hyatt said.
Tualatin opened the season at home with a 0-0 tie against Mountainside. While the Timberwolves couldn’t convert any offensive opportunities, they had a good amount of chances to score and held onto the ball for much of the game.
Hyatt said he’s looking to the returning captains to lead the way for the Timberwolves. Both Rios and DeGraw play on one of the more competitive club teams in the state, so Hyatt said they’re comfortable with high levels of competition.
“Julian is really a leader for all the rest of the boys on the team, and he’s a great kid,” Hyatt said. “Miles is one of the best keepers in the state. His reactions in net are just great. They’re going boing to be big for us this year.”
Last year, both players were selected for the All Three Rivers League Second Team, along with Cesar Venegas, who is going to be a junior this year.
The Timberwolves had a few other players picked as honorable mentions for the All Three Rivers League Teams last year who are returning, including sophomore Connor Camacho, junior Ben Nguyen and senior Mac Thomson.
Hyatt also said he’s expecting a big year from senior midfielder Julio Godinez.
“He’s a technical, smart player who controls the pace of play for us,” Hyatt said. “He’s like our point guard. Whenever he gets the ball, good things happen.”
Whether it’s Godinez or another player, Hyatt said he wants his team to dominate in time of possession this year. He added they’ve been putting in a lot of work in the final third of the field and their playmaking around the goal, especially.
“They’re all fired up to be part of the program,” Hyatt said. “Last year, we were super young, and expectations were a little limited. They all understand that if there was any time to make a run in the playoffs, it’s going to be this year. The collective mentality is not to just go out and sneak by, but to dominate teams we should dominate and compete with the best teams in the state.”
