Rebuilding or simply reloading?

Five-time defending region champion Peninsula Pirates, winners of two Northwest Athletic Conference championships (2012, 2013) have a bevy of top talent headed to the Olympic Peninsula for their 2016 fall season.

Head coach Kanyon Anderson and new assistant Dana De Vaughn already have signed 11 players to a roster that they say is loaded with returning talent.

“This recruiting class strikes me as one of the most tenacious and cerebral groups we’ve ever brought in,” Anderson said. “We will be able to try a few new things tactically and we will have the toughness to make sure that we are competitive, even when things aren’t going our way.”

Anderson, the NWAC North Region Coach of the Year, said his 2016 recruiting class is very similar to one he had in 2011, calling them “tough, no nonsense, competitive and strong.”

That 2011 group went on to win back-to-back division championships and an NWAC title.

“I think this recruiting class, paired with a wonderful returning core, will be very good,” Anderson said. “I am excited to coach them.”

Last season’s Pirates went 14-1-0 in the NWAC North division and 20-2 before falling in the semifinals to Highline, 2-1.

The Pirates lose several key players to graduation or from players moving on to other teams including North Division Women’s Soccer All-Stars Myu Ban, Karen Corral, Lexi Krieger and Kai Mahuka. Ban had six goals and an NWAC-high 14 assists while Kreiger led last year’s Pirates with 14 goals and added seven assists. Peninsula will look to replace graduated sophomore Mania Siania-Unutoa, who along with a stingy PC defense posted school bests in shutouts for a single season (12) and career (15).

All-star sophomore Ellie Small is back, however, after scoring 10 goals and chipping in eight assists as a freshman last fall. Also back is eight goal-scorer Hoku Afong and six goal-scorer Bri Jackson-Vallente, plus key players Audrey Barnham and Kennady Whitehead.

Peninsula sees the return of a pair of red-shirt freshmen from Sequim in midfielder Leslie Cisneros and defender Heidi Vereide.

Here’s a quick look at the new Pirate recruits:

• Malia Brudvik (Defender, Auburn Mountainview High School)

A four-year varsity player at Auburn Mountainview, Brudvik was named First Team All-League, League Defensive MVP and team captain while maintaining a 3.6 grade-point average. She also played with the Rainier Valley Slammers Soccer Club in Auburn.

“Malia is a brave, intelligent defender,” Anderson. “She is comfortable with the ball at her feet and she is intelligent. I am excited to see her game develop at the college level because she is a player who has the mind to out-think many on the field.”

• Emilee Greve (Midfielder, Auburn Mountainview High School)

A teammate of Brudvik’s, Greve also played four years of varsity at Auburn Mountainview and was named First Team All-League in the midfield. An honors student, she played alongside Brudvik with the Rainier Valley Slammers Soccer Club.

“Emilee has the strength to win tackles in the midfield and the mobility to put herself in the right position,” Anderson said. “What makes her truly unique though is her ripping shot which I have seen her use very effectively. She will be a weapon from distance all season.”

• Tatiana Hagan (Midfielder, Galena High School, Nomads Soccer Club, Reno, Nev.)

Hagen, the younger sister of Pirate standout Tori Hagen, was a four-year varsity letter winner, a three-time All League player as both a midfielder and a striker. She was a team captain, a national club team runner up, Davis Showcase champion and she received a community service award. A player for the select Nomads Soccer Club in Reno, Hagan has a 3.7 grade-point average.

“Tati is a quick, athletic player with a knack for finding gaps in the opposing defense,” Anderson said. “Her touch on the ball allows her to keep things close to her foot so that when a teammate breaks free she can deliver an accurate ball.” Because her older sister, Tori, has been a star here, I know Tati is willing to put in the hard work required to succeed.”

• Emelie Small (Defender, Reno High School, Nomads Soccer Club, Reno, Nev.)

Another family connection here: Emelie is the younger sister of Pirate starter Ellie Small. The younger was a four-year starter, three-time All-League defender, team MVP, and her club team — the Nomads — placed second at nationals. Small is both an honors and advanced placement student with a 3.9 grade-point average.

“Emelie is a hard-nosed, hard-tackling defender,” Anderson said. “She will help us solidify a back line that has led the league in goals against for the last two years and with her back there, we will have no drop off at all.”

• Isabel Vega (Defender, Reed High School, Reno, Nev.)

Vega made varsity as a freshman and since then has three times been named All-League as a defender. She was Reed High MVP and in club play — along with Emelie Small — helped the Nomads finish second in the nation.

“Isabel has a fantastic first touch which allows her to take long balls down and turn them into attacking opportunities,” Anderson said. “I am excited to see how good Isabel becomes because she has so much going for her.”

• Kelly Kevershan (Striker, Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, Ariz.)

Kevershan is a four-year varsity player, team MVP, captain and was awarded Best Attacking Player. Playing for the Canyon del Oro Soccer Club, she also served as vice president of her science club at Canyon del Oro High, where she sports a weighted grade-point average of 4.6.

Kelly is a clever and skilled attacker,” Anderson said. “She has the ability to weave through defenses without having to commit to one idea. She can hold several possibilities in her mind as she advances the ball and is able to make the decision that best benefits the attack. This ability will allow us to put the ball on Kelly’s foot and trust that she will help us transition smoothly.”

• Jayna Morikawa (Midfielder, Mililani High School, Mililani, Hawaii)

A two time All-League selection, Morikawa helped lead her Mililani High School team to a 2015 state championship and second place in 2016; she scored goals in the semifinal and third-place games. A Hawaii Rush Soccer Club player, she boasts a 3.9 grade-point average.

“When I first saw Jayna play, I was impressed with her ability to attack down the wing and deliver accurate, intelligent passes into the box,” Anderson said. “She also has shown a willingness to defend with dedication and a knack for advancing the ball off the dribble. She was recruited by a strong local D-II program, but fortunately for us, she decided to become the next in a long line of talented Hawaiian recruits.”

• Maddy Parton (Striker, Cascade High School, Leavenworth)

Parton is the all-time leading scorer in Cascade High School history. A three-time first-team All League striker, two-time league MVP and first team All-State star, she led her team to a second-place finish at the state tournament. A Wenatchee Fire Soccer Club player, she sports a 3.5 grade-point average.

“Maddy is a high-level athlete with a good feel for the game,” Anderson said. “She is quick laterally, very strong and very fast. She spent a lot of time getting behind defenses in high school and will do the same at the college level.”

• Sarah Reiber (Midfielder, Davis High School, Yakima)

Reiber was varsity all four years at Davis High. A two-time All League selection, she was twice named team captain and is a 20-goal scorer. Reiber played for the Eastside Football Club. She ranks in the top 30 of her senior class with a 3.5 grade-point average.

“Sarah … has an ability to go forward on the dribble and the vision to set her teammates up,” Anderson said. “She will bring the toughness and selflessness every good team needs.”

• Andrea Villalvazo (Midfielder, North Valley High School, Reno, Nev.)

Villalvazo is a four-year varsity starter, a four-time All League selection and was her prep team’s leading scorer all four years. She was team captain, MVP for the Spanish Spring Football Club and maintains a 3.2 grade-point average.

“Andrea is a strong midfielder with the ability to win the ball back and the ability to go forward with purpose,” Anderson said. “Add in her strong shot with both feet and a great work ethic and you have a player who can play up top or in the midfield, out wide or in the center.”

• Sydney Warren (Forward, Tahoma High School, Maple Valley)

Sydney Warren was a three-year varsity letter winner, a second team All-League selection, and helped her Tahoma team win the 2015 state championship. A Rainier Valley Slammers player, Warren posts a 3.9 grade-point average.

“When I watch Sydney, I see a player with a very high ceiling,” Anderson said. “She is strong, fast, skilled and tenacious. Most importantly though, she is dedicated to growing. With her combination of size and speed, Sydney could have had good success simply running hard, but she has a savvy to her game as well.”

SIDE 1:

Fall sports preview: PC women’s soccer

2015 record: 20-2-0 overall, 14-1-0 (first) in North Division; third/fourth in NWAC tournament

Head coach: Kanyon Anderson (sixth season)

Assistant: Dana DeVaughn

Top returning players: Ellie Small (F), Hoku Afong (F), Audrey Barnham (D), Kennady Whitehead (M), Kameryn Jury-Hale (D), Bri Jackson Vallente (F)

Key newcomers: Malia Brudvik (D), Emilee Greve (M), Tatiana Hagan (M), Emelie Small (D), Isabel Vega (D), Kelly Kevershan (F)

The roster

No. Name Year Pos. Hometown

00 Malia Henderson So. GK Port Townsend

0 Cecily Warnick So. GK Pullman

1 Akari Hoshino Fr. GK Tokyo, Japan

2 Kelly Kevershan Fr. F Tuscon, Ariz.

3 Leslie Cisneros Fr. MF Sequim

4 Jazmin Ramos Fr. M Thousand Oaks, Calif.

5 Ellie Small So. F Reno, Nev.

6 Audrey Barham So. D Sparks, Nev.

7 Hoku Afong So. F Waianae, Hawaii

8 Emilee Greve Fr. M Auburn

9 Sarah Reiber Fr. M Yakima

10 Kennady Whitehead So. M Sparks, Nev.

11 Maddy Parton Fr. F Leavenworth

12 Malia Brudvik Fr. D Auburn

13 Kameryn Jury-Hale So. D Waianae, Hawaii

14 Coby Yoshimura So. F Mililani, Hawaii

15 Marriah Perez So. F Bakersfield, Calif.

16 Isabel Vega Fr. D Reno, Nev.

17 Emelie Small Fr. D Reno, Nev.

18 Elizabeth Hornsey So. D Poulsbo

19 Sydney Warren Fr. F Maple Valley

20 Bailie Zuber So. Def Carson, Nev.

21 Cierra Hamilton So. D Aiea, Hawaii

22 Heidi Vereide Fr. D Sequim

23 Tatiana Hagan Fr. M Reno, Nev.

24 Jayna Morikawa Fr. F Mililani, Hawaii

25 Bri Jackson-Vallente So. F Waikoloa, Hawaii

26 Samantha Guzman Fr. D Corona, Calif.

31 Natalie Carreon Fr. GK Highland, Calif.

2016 Schedule

• Preseason

Thur., Aug. 18 at University of Victoria 3 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 24 vs. Vancouver Island Univ. 1:30 p.m.

• Non-conference play

Sat., Aug. 27 vs. Lane (at Springfield, Ore.) 9 a.m.

Sun., Aug. 28 vs. Highline (at Springfield, Ore.) 10 a.m.

Mon., Sept. 5 at Spokane 10 a.m.

• Conference play

Sat., Sept. 10 at Shoreline Noon

Wed., Sept. 14 at Everett 2 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 17 vs. Skagit Valley Noon

Wed., Sept. 21 at Whatcom 2 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 24 vs. Edmonds Noon

Wed., Sept. 28 vs. Shoreline 2 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 1 Everett Noon

Wed., Oct. 5 Skagit Valley 2 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 8 Whatcom Noon

Wed., Oct. 12 at Edmonds 4 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 15 Shoreline Noon

Wed., Oct. 19 at Everett 2 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 22 at Skagit Valley Noon

Wed., Oct. 26 at Whatcom 2 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 29 Edmonds Noon

Wed., Nov. 2 NWAC First Round

Sat., Nov. 5 NWAC Quarterfinals

Nov. 11-13 NWAC Finals at Starfire (Tukwila)