The grass is cut, lines have been painted on the field and cleats have been dusted off. Though in the case of some of the girls soccer players in Whatcom County, their cleats were never dusty to begin with as their club seasons took place over the summer.
Only two teams from the Northwest Conference made the state tournament last year, but a few more were knocking on the door in districts.
New faces both on the field and sidelines will be taking the field soon, so here’s a general look at each team heading into the start of the fall 2022 season.
Class 1A
Blaine
2021 record: 9-8
Season result: Lost in winner-to-state District 1-2 crossover.
What to know: Winners of the 1A Northwest Conference and district champions last season, Blaine is tied with Lynden Christian in seniors lost this year with seven. None of the five teams in the 1A Northwest Conference had particularly dominant seasons a year ago, making the field feel wide open in 2022.
Lynden Christian
2021 record: 5-5-4
Season result: Lost in winner-to-state District 1-2 crossover.
What to know: Like Blaine, Lynden Christian is losing seven seniors from last year’s team. The Lyncs placed second in the District 1 tournament behind Blaine. Despite losing a solid amount of senior leadership, the young core could have the tools to leapfrog Blaine.
Meridian
2021 record: 4-12-2
Season result: Lost in district tournament second-place game.
What to know: Most of the Trojans’ team from 2021 is back this year with only two seniors graduated. Meridian’s returners, with a little more experience now, will likely be better off than they were in 2021.
Mount Baker
2021 record: 1-16
Season result: Lost in first round of district tournament.
What to know: Mount Baker loses only one senior from last year, but the Mountaineers program has struggled the last few seasons. An early exit in the district tournament last year gives Mount Baker a clear goal to shoot for this year.
Nooksack Valley
2021 record: 3-14-1
Season result: Lost in second round of district tournament.
What to know: Also a team in rebuild mode the last few years, Nooksack Valley was bounced from the postseason in the district tournament. The Pioneers will be without their five seniors from last season but retain a strong head coach in former Western Washington University star Ashley Homer.
Class 2A
Bellingham
2021 record: 14-6
Season result: Lost in winner-to-state, loser-out game.
What to know: The Bayhawks lose five seniors from last year’s squad but should still be in good shape this year. Bellingham has a new head coach this year, Spencer Wolfe, who also serves as the boys soccer coach.
Sehome
2021 record: 15-4
Season result: Lost in first round of Class 2A state tournament.
What to know: One of two teams from the county to make the state tournament and the only 2A team from Whatcom to do so, Sehome will enter this season having lost 11 seniors to graduation. The Mariners, always a force and in the conversation at the top of the conference, seem to reload every year rather than rebuild.
Squalicum
2021 record: 7-9-3
Season result: Lost in district tournament consolation round.
What to know: Gone are five seniors from the team last year. Squalicum, a middle-of-the-pack team in 2021, has the potential to make a jump this season with the turnover around the conference.
Squalicum defender Caroline Klein stops the ball with her chest in a game against Lynden on Nov. 2, 2021. Klein was a sophomore on last year’s Squalicum team that saw its season end in the district tournament. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Lynden
2021 record: 11-6
Season result: Lost in district tournament consolation semifinal.
What to know: Good news for Lynden fans: The team returns nearly its entire roster this year, having only lost one senior to graduation. Back for the Lions are their leading goal scorer, assist leader and goalkeeper from last season. New for Lynden this year will be Clark Bourgault as head coach.
Lynden forward Faith VanBrocklin dribbles the ball in a match against Sehome High School on Oct. 9, 2021. VanBrocklin is a sophomore on this year’s Lions’ squad. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Class 3A
Ferndale
2021 record: 13-6-2
Season result: Lost in first round of Class 3A state tournament.
What to know: During the spring 2021 COVID-shortened season, a lot of young freshmen and sophomores were taking the field for the Golden Eagles. Those freshmen got their first full, normal season last year as sophomores. Now as juniors, along with the incoming seniors, they have experience under their belts capable of taking the team further.
