Experience.

If you hear Renton soccer coach Duane Nakamura say the word a lot, it may be because he’s overcompensating for the one thing his team truly lacks.

“It’s just experience, a general lack of experience,” Nakamura said. “It’s a work in progress.”

The Indians (0-4) have 11 freshmen and three sophomores on the team, compared to just six upperclassmen.

That youth was on display in a 3-2 loss Tuesday night against Tyee. Renton fell behind 3-1 early in the game. The Indians then scored a goal with 25 minutes left in the second half to pull closer.

Renton then had two chances to tie the game in the closing minutes that missed by just a few feet.

“This is a game that we missed some opportunities,” Nakamura said. “We missed two critical shots that would’ve changed the game.”

Nakamura is encouraged by how his players were at least in position to make the shots.

“We haven’t worked a whole lot on offense, so our finishing is not where it should be,” he said.

The goals against Tyee were the team’s first of the season. Renton opened the season with losses to Foster, Lindbergh and Highline.

The team has been working mostly on defense in the early going. That effort is lead by senior goalkeeper Alexis Quintana. Quintana made the all-league second team last season and is the team’s top returning player.

Key new players to watch are sophomore Frank Amani and freshman Kapkyi Lwai.

“We’re improving and that’s our goal to just improve each game,” Nakamura said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re the youngest team in the league, but this is what we have. So we’re looking to move forward.”