When Jeremy Sherer left North Smithfield for Cranston West, he traded in a consistently strong program for a team that has won three league games in the last two years. And yet, the new Falcons head coach saw it as an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

Since consecutive runner-up finishes in Division II in 2007 and 2008, West has looked like a contender-in-waiting in the Division I ranks, but hasn’t been able to find consistent success. Sherer wanted the chance to try.

“I was surprised to look back at the records the last few years,” Sherer said. “I find it inconceivable that a district with this many students can’t be successful at the Division I level. I think West is capable of being a very good Division I program.”

The Falcons have had some D-I success – making the playoffs with eight wins in 2011 – but the last two seasons have been difficult, with young squads taking their lumps. West went 2-11-1 in 2012 and 1-13 last season.

For Sherer – who has coached premier clubs, in addition to his stint at Division II North Smithfield – it was still a golden opportunity.

“North Smithfield has amazing facilities, great support and great athletes, but just not as many athletes,” Sherer said. “I really wanted the opportunity coach a Division I program.”

Sherer takes over for longtime coach Charles Pearson, who helped build West into a D-II power and was a proponent of the move to Division I. The new head coach inherits a team with a lot of varsity experience, but he’s been preaching a fresh start.

“One advantage of being a new coach is that you don’t know the players,” Sherer said. “I made it clear to them that they’re all freshmen in my mind, and I think they’ve responded to that. The work ethic has been great.”

While official practices began just last week, that work ethic was on display all summer, when the Falcons had great turnouts for optional summer workouts.

“We had a tremendous response – about 30 kids three days a week,” Sherer said. “We’ve got tremendous support from parents, from our principal and from our athletic director. There’s a lot of enthusiasm.”

It remains to be seen where that will leave the Falcons in the rough-and-tumble world of Division I, but there’s reason for optimism. The team had just one senior last year. And though nothing is set in stone thanks to the fresh start approach, there is at least some experience to fall back on.

“I have a really good group,” Sherer said. “I have a lot of athletes, no superstars, and a lot of depth.”

Seniors Eleni and Nicole Grammas and junior Jenna Palmer are serving as captains. All three have been regular contributors since their freshman seasons.

The senior class also includes Haley Nardolillo, Cailyn O’Neill, Jillian O’Neill, Kaitlyn Petitpas and Julia White, all of whom have varsity time under their belts. Juniors like Palmer, Gabby Caruso, Kate Capuano, Sofia Cadden and Julia White have also played a lot in the past.

Overall, West has 39 girls in the program – 20 varsity, two swing and 17 junior varsity.

West also has two goalkeepers back with experience – junior Erin Blake and sophomore Olivia Idowu.

“We’re very fortunate to have two solid keepers,” Sherer said. “I would call them both starters right now because they’re pretty even. They both have strengths and weaknesses.”

With scrimmages and preseason games still ahead, Sherer doesn’t know how everything will fit together quite yet. Instead, the main focus has been on building team chemistry and instilling a style of play.

“We spent a lot of time working on team building, because I think there was kind of a lack of cohesion,” Sherer said. “They’re responding well. The attitudes have been great, and from what I’ve seen in practice, they’re already playing a better style.”

West has a preseason game on Saturday morning at home before opening the season on Sept. 4 against Bay View. If the first week of practice is any indication, the Falcons will be chomping at the bit to get on the field.

It’s a new start.

“There’s a lot of excitement,” Sherer said. “We’re ready to go.”