Cruisers Battle Bethel in Season Opener Under New Head Coach

A new era began for the Eatonville boys’ soccer program this past Friday night as the Cruisers opened the season against Bethel under first year head coach Mark Phillips.

Eatonville players listen as head coach Mark Phillips delivers last minute instructions during a rain soaked pregame huddle at Art Crate Field before the season opener against the Bethel Bisons. The Eatonville Cruisers fell 4-0 in the nonleague matchup. Photo: Heather Quirie

Despite a 4-0 loss to the Bisons, Phillips said he saw encouraging signs from his squad in the season opener.

Eatonville trailed just 1-0 at halftime after a competitive first half in which the Cruisers showed composure and organization against their larger opponent.

“The guys played one heck of a game,” Phillips said. “They played with poise and stayed calm and collected.”

Bethel pulled away in the second half with three goals, including two highlight worthy finishes. One came on a well struck header off a corner kick, while another was blasted into the upper left corner from distance.

The other two goals came in more chaotic fashion. On one sequence, Eatonville’s goalkeeper appeared to have control of the ball before contact from a Bethel attacker caused it to pop loose, allowing an easy tap in.

Even with the result, Phillips praised the effort and character his players showed throughout the match.

“The level of character and integrity with this group is unmatched,” Phillips said. “That is all I can ask for.”

Phillips takes over the Cruisers program with a deep background in the game. Born in Germany into a military family, he began playing soccer there and developed an early appreciation for the sport’s technical and team oriented style.

He brings roughly 13 years of club coaching experience along with nine seasons of high school coaching. That includes five seasons as head coach of the Eatonville girls program and four seasons as an assistant with the Cruiser boys team.

Phillips also holds a U.S. Soccer National D Coaching License and has spent time officiating matches, which he said helped deepen his respect for the Laws of the Game and sportsmanship.

“My coaching philosophy centers on developing young people not only as players, but as individuals of integrity, character, and accountability, on and off the pitch,” Phillips said.

Eatonville will look to build on the positives from the opener as the Cruisers continue their early season schedule in hopes of handing Phillips his first victory.