Coach: Adam Ladage, second year

Last year: ninth in SPSL North 4A with 2-12-2 record

Top returners: Kaily Robinson, junior, defender; Adrianna McMahon, senior, defender; Linda Karout, senior, forward; Han Mizoguchi, junior, forward; Makayla Sonstelie, sophomore, midfielder; Meghan McCullom, junior, defender/midfielder; Sara McCullom, junior, midfielder; and McKinley Johnson, senior, defender/midfielder.

Outlook: Last year’s record was a reflection of how young the team was, often starting nine sophomores and freshmen. This year, however, those girls are a year older, with a lot of playing time under their belt. “We have a different attitude than we did last year,” Ladage said. “There is a sense of excitement in our program, and the girls have humbled themselves with expectations for each other and as a team. We are concentrating on doing everything with expectations, from how we practice and conduct ourselves off the field to how we play in games. (On the field) we must score goals at a much higher rate than we did last year and mature defensively.”  The Trojans look to Mizoguchi, one of the quicker players in the league, to key the offense. Karout, who was out for half of last season with a foot injury, also will make an impact offensively.

 

AUBURN RIVERSIDE RAVENS: AT A GLANCE

Coach: Paul Lewis, eighth year

Last year: sixth in SPSL North 4A with 6-8-2 record

Top returners: Lauren Crimi, junior, forward; Ashley Enlow, senior, forward; Emmi Seelbach, junior, defender; Ilona Snyder, senior, midfielder; Kathleen Guiterrez, junior, midfielder; Katie Baber, senior, midfielder; and Kristina Nelson, sophomore, goalkeeper.

Outlook: The Ravens finished just one point shy of making the postseason last season. Six starters are gone, including two first-team all-league players, and perhaps the best goalkeeper in the league. Lewis still is confident this year’s squad can succeed in the tough North. “With an adjusted formation the team will have more room for creativity in the offense end of the field,” Lewis said. “Creative and unpredictable offense will be the strength of the team.” Lewis added that much of the team’s success of the is predicated on the defense improving throughout the year. “With a tough, intimidating sophomore goalkeeper and a back four that includes a freshman, a sophomore and two juniors, it is a group loaded with potential.” Look for Crimi, an all-SPSL North 4A second-team selection, and Enlow, an honorable mention, to provide offense.

Coach: Cary Davidson, eighth year

Last year: first in South Puget Sound League 3A with an 8-2-0 record, 12-5-1 overall

Top returners: Delene Colburn, junior, forward; Madi Clarkson,  junior, midfielder; Abi Alfrey, senior, defender; Sophia Wagner, junior, defender; Emily Gordon, senior, forward; and Kellcy Emory, sophomore, midfield.

Outlook: The Lions grabbed their first league title as a program last season. The team fell shy of the state 3A tournament, losing to Columbia River 2-0 in the district final. This year the team will again rely on defense to keep it in games behind Wagner, a returning all-SPSL 3A first-team defender, and senior defender Alfrey. Both girls also lead the team as co-captains. In the midfield the Lions turn to Clarkson, a second-team all-leaguer from last season, and Emory, a sophomore who torched the SPSL 3A for 10 goals last season. Gordon and Colburn provide scoring. Between the pipes Anastasia Finney replaces all-SPSL pick Jessica McAllister. Beyond that, the Lions have several talented underclassman. “We lost some players, so we may not be as technical as we were. But I think they will make up for it in other ways,” Davidson said. “They have a great work ethic, are coachable and have good team chemistry. I said this last year, but this group tops all the others I have coached in these three categories.”