The August River Jam Challenge was a very successful one for WSSA’s three oldest teams … with all three winning! Coach Mark Drovdahl (9s and 12s) and Coach Lexi (11s) reflect on the tournament and their teams below.
Coach Mark shares about the 9s and 12s experience
Two winning teams in a tournament seems pretty rare! Thoughts on how that happened?
Yeah, it seems really unlikely… except that it’s happened twice now. Last year the 2012’s and 2009’s won WSSA’s first trophies, each claiming first place at Northwest United’s Skagit Firecracker tournament. Then they pulled off another double, each taking first place at Washington Premier’s River Jam this summer. Both teams worked hard and grew stronger throughout the summer, and for the older team, it was an especially sweet send off as they head into their respective high school tryouts.
Are there any notable similarities and/or differences in the experience of the two teams in this tournament?
The 09’s played in a combined 09-07 age group with four teams. They were able to advance to the final on one win and two draws. They played two very competitive games against a strong Steel United team, tying 1-1 in group play and coming out on top in penalties (4-1) after a scoreless final.
The 12’s were in a six team division, went 2-0-1 and faced a strong and undefeated South Kitsap team in the final. After a scoreless first half, a quick restart got our striker behind their defense for the go ahead goal and the game opened up a bit after that finishing 2-0.
Both teams share the same base (4-2-3-1) formation and play a similar style. During the summer, the two teams trained back-to-back and oftentimes worked through similar activities. The 2009’s are a strong team and have had a lot of success — they’ve been finalists or champions in 6 out of the 7 tournaments they’ve entered. The 2012 team has a mix of new and returning players and is maybe just now realizing how scary good they might be.
What are you most proud of for each team from this tournament?
2009 Team – Grit. The team was missing their leading scorer this tournament and had only two subs heading into the final. I’m proud of them for resolutely defending, never giving up and believing in themselves and their teammates. They entered the shootout with confidence and smiles and while I’d never wish for penalties, that experience adds to their ever deepening well of resilience.
2012 Team – Commitment. Going into the final and up against a stingy SK defense, we knew our best strategy was to possess the ball and patiently look for opportunities. Tied 0-0 at half, I asked the players to stay committed to our plan and trust we’d get chances. I’m proud of them for committing to, and executing, the game plan.
What are you looking forward to with each team in the fall & winter?
2012 Team – The team is on a great trajectory. Our confidence and ability to maintain possession improved throughout the summer and there were times at River Jam where we strung 5-10 passes together. As we enter league play, we’ll continue to focus on that.
2009 Team – I’m pretty excited to watch these players play for their high school teams. As much as I enjoy coaching them, it’s really good for them to hear and learn from other coaches. Also, watching them matchup and compete against each other is great.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I love coaching these two age groups (U14 and U17) as the older players are great role models for the younger ones and yet the younger ones aren’t far behind – they’ll all overlap for 1-2 yrs in high school.
Coach Lexi reflects on the 11s win
The 11s team is made up of players who had only been playing together for only a handful of weeks before the tournament. A big win after only a few weeks playing together is impressive! Can you reflect on that?
This team had only been playing together for a handful of weeks, which makes their tournament championship all the more impressive. We are truly a melting pot of players from across Washington—Sequim, Poulsbo, Kingston, and Belfair—and for many of our Sequim players, this was their very first opportunity to compete alongside the rest of the group.
From the beginning, we have been intentional about building connection, both on and off the field. At practice, we’ve dedicated time to discussing our expectations, goals, and team norms, while also incorporating team-building activities led by Director of Coaching, Katie Drovdahl, to encourage trust and collaboration. Beyond training, we’ve prioritized fun bonding experiences—like jumping off the Hidden Cove dock—that have helped the players form genuine friendships and a strong sense of camaraderie.
On the soccer side, our focus has been on creating a style of play that highlights this group’s unique strengths. We’ve established a formation that suits the team, practiced set pieces, reinforced roles, and emphasized the importance of teamwork over ego. In just a few short weeks, the players embraced the challenge, grew together, and showed incredible resilience.
To see them come together so quickly and earn a gold medal is a testament to their buy-in, hard work, and commitment to each other. I couldn’t be prouder of the way this team has climbed, connected, and competed.
What are you most proud of the team from this tournament?
I am most proud of the 11s for their resilience, grit, and determination to get the job done. Throughout the tournament, they approached each game with focus and composure, showing a clear understanding of what it takes to compete at the next level. Their ability to stay disciplined, adapt, and push through challenges was what truly set them apart.
What are you looking forward to with the team in the fall?
I am looking forward to seeing these players continue to grow—not just as athletes, but also as people and friends. I truly believe this group has something special, and with the right mindset, determination, and grit, I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together this fall season.
I’m also excited for more team bonding opportunities, especially as we come together to support our teammates during their high school games.
You’ve had a winning team at each of the three tournaments WSSA played in this summer. CONGRATS! What do you attribute this to?
The credit really belongs to the girls. Their buy-in, grit, and resilience are what set them apart, and those qualities can’t be taught. I just feel fortunate to guide them and to be a part of their journey as they continue to grow together.
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