There is much anticipation as a new season of soccer kicks off tonight for the Washington Demons, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in each program’s history.

The Washington boys are riding a streak of three straight winning seasons after going 9-6 last spring. The Demons were a solid offensive squad in 2023, averaging four goals scored per game, and most of the best attacking players are back.

Manny Raymundo returns for his senior season at Washington after leading the team with 19 goals and 11 assists. All-conference midfielder Brayan Arreola is also back, as well as versatile midfielders like fellow seniors Isaac Gentry and Lane Schrock and speedy strikers like junior Kelver Lopez and sophomore Edwin Cortes.

But what might make the Demons most dangerous is a stout back line. In addition to starting goalkeeper Will Gilchrist Brock returning, Washington also has back defenders like junior Brendan Taylor and seniors Angel Mata and Kevin Huertero. Demon head coach Sally Hart tells KCII Sports her defense has continuity, experience and talent.

“Those guys have played together [for] so long,” Hart says. “They really just click. Having that real strong back line lets our offense have more freedom to be creative, because they know they can trust the guys behind them. It’s wonderful to have them back and really be that wall that we need.”

The Washington girls are coming off their best-ever season with an 11-6 record. Top scorers Audrey and Angie Anderson are back after combining for 17 goals, as is all-conference midfielder Giselle Marcelino.

Returning players like junior Ruby Whitthoft and sophomores Jocelyn Carter and Amerie Cuevas will take on bigger roles this season. While starting goalkeeper Aleigha Medley will be back for her sophomore season, there will be some new faces in front of her on defense. Demons head coach Mason Quigley says Medley has put the grind in to make herself and her new line mates better.

“She showed up quite a bit of days in the offseason,” Quigley says, “putting in the work, wanting to get better and get bigger. She may not be the tallest, but she’s definitely a hard worker, and she shows that she wants to be part of a winning culture and have it show on the game field for us.”

Both the Washington girls’ and boys’ soccer teams kick off their new seasons this evening at Columbus, with the girls taking the field first at 5 o’clock.