‘All in on soccer’: Sequim teen strives for excellence on, off the pitch

For Josh Alcaraz — both on the pitch and in the classroom — communication is critical.

The 15-year-old Sequim High sophomore fills much of his days with soccer, playing keeper for high level club teams while keeping up with his studies.

“I have a lot of time in the car,” said Alcaraz in a rare moment away from the books and play, talking about his soccer-related activities in the SHS library a day before heading off to Nevada for another club tournament.

“I’ve kind of gotten used to it.”

Alcaraz recalled that about four or five years ago club coach Hansy Lopez spotted the youth on the field and urged him to make the switch to goal.

“I was not a goalkeeper at all,” Alcaraz recalled.

But he took in Lopez’s advice — “When I listen to him, I improve,” Alcaraz said — and years later the Sequim youth now plays for Washington Premier FC in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). The squad plays throughout Washington state and Oregon, and this past summer the team qualified for a national playoff tourney where Alcaraz helped the team post two shutouts.

A member for the past five years in the Washington Elite Player Development (EPD) program, one that features many of the top players in the state, Alcaraz has traveled to competitions in California, Missouri, North Carolina, Arizona and, from Dec. 14-17, to the Las Vegas ECNK showcase in Nevada, where he and his team posted two shutouts in three games.

“You have to see the entire field,” he said of what it takes to be a good goalie.

“You have to be very specific; you can’t say general things (to your teammates). You may call out a name and tell them to step up. And always be ready for counter attack.”

Driving the ball downfield with goal-kicks and drop kicks is important, he said, as is being skilled at saves. He works on making stops and keeping possession rather than deflecting a shot away.

“If you have to push it out [do it], but that just gives the other team another chance at the goal,” he said.

Alcaraz was invited to England, Spain and Portugal, and most recently he was selected as the EPD travel team goalkeeper as they represent Washington state in the Olympic Development Program Far West Region Championships set for Jan. 5-8 in Arizona.

For the Wolves

While he spends his time in goal for club teams, Alcaraz makes use of his athleticism in the field on his Sequim High team as a 10 — typically an attacker who operates in the spaces between central midfield and the front line

Alcaraz, who turns 16 in June, played every game as a freshman in 2023 and had two scores (tied for the team lead) on a team that struggled to find offense: SHS scored nine goals total during a 4-10 campaign.

“It’s a good group,” Alcaraz said of the young Sequim team that he expects to improve in 2024, when hopes to be back out in the 10 position.

Alcaraz said he aims for his play to be selfless: “I’m more, ‘I’ll set you up for the goal.’”

When he was younger, Alcaraz was busy with a number of other sports including tennis, a bit of basketball and flag football. But his true passion was on the pitch.

“In general, I just like soccer,” he said. “I love the camaraderie, hanging out with everyone.

“(And) I love the decision-making part of the game. I’m competitive, a hundred percent, at almost everything.”

His father James, who was Alcaraz’s first coach, said he played keeper in his youth but “I didn’t tell him I played goalie because I didn’t want to influence Josh.”

Said the younger Alcaraz, “He would always push me harder.”

“It was fun,” James said, “but it was all in. Our philosophy in this family was to always do something to the best of our ability.

“It was a journey to get to this EPD level.”

The Alcarazes learned about the Elite Player Development program when Ryan Tolberd, the Sequim High scoring star (2017-2020) starting playing with EPD teams.

“I’m not sure he’d have known about it,” James said, if they hadn’t known about Tolberd’s exploits.

Josh said he doesn’t have a goal for his soccer play beyond strong seasons at the high school and club level and landing a spot on a college team.

“We’ll see where it goes,” he said. “I’m all in on soccer.”

In the meantime, Alcaraz has to hit the books while balancing a sports schedule that has him out of town for days at a time. That means oftentimes working with his teachers for assignment extensions or alternatives, and getting his homework done from the seat of a car or bus.

It seems to be working, as the teen maintains an honor roll-worthy 3.83 grade-point average.

Said Alcaraz, ‘“Communication is key.”