AUBURN RIVERSIDE RAVENS

• Coach: Paul Lewis, ninth year.

• Last year: seventh in the SPSL North 4A with a 5-9-2 record.

• Top returners: Emmi Seelbach, senior, defender; Lauren Crimi, senior, forward; Jewli-Ann Young-Holm, junior, forward; Kathleen Guitierrez, senior, midfielder; Kristina Nelson, junior, goalkeeper; and Megan Lucchesi, senior, midfielder.

• Impact newcomers: Robin Hood, junior, forward; and Jordan Harrison, sophomore, midfielder.

• Outlook: The Ravens graduated just three seniors off last year’s injury-depleted squad. With a seventh-place finish in the SPSL North 4A, Auburn Riverside was a much better team than its record indicated. Part of the problem last year was the team’s lack of goalkeeping, with the program’s only goalie, Nelson, spending the better part of the season sidelined with concussion issues. “When you’re pulling starters off the field to play goal, it’s hard,” he said. “If we can keep Kristina healthy, that will be huge.” The team also hopes to have the services of Crimi, an All-SPSL North 4A first-team selection last season. Because she transferred out of Auburn Riverside then back in last year, she has to appeal to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to become eligible to play this season. Also key to the team this year is Seelbach, a first-team all-league selection at defender last season. Add in sophomore Hood, who had 23 goals for the Raven junior varsity last season, and a trip to the postseason could be in the cards. “If we don’t finish better than 5-9-2 this season, I’d be surprised and disappointed,” Lewis said.