AUBURN TROJANS:

• COACH: Adam Ladage, first year.

• LAST YEAR: 3-11-2, ninth in the South Puget Sound League North 4A

• TOP RETURNERS: Chandler Johnson, midfielder, senior.; Linda Karout, forward, junior; and Hanna Mizoguchi, forward, sophomore.

• TOP NEWCOMERS: Makayla Sonstelie, forward, freshman; Kailey Robinson, defender, sophomore; and Adrianna McMahon, defender, sophomore.

• OUTLOOK: According to Ladage, who takes over this year for Russ DeFord, the team is young, fast and in need of experience to compete in the SPSL North 4A, which boasts the Washington State 4A champion and runners-up in Kentwood and Tahoma, respectively. “We have a tremendous amount of speed in our front players and at times we will look to use it,” he said. “We are not a kick and run team, however, and are learning to play together.  “We have a good core of seniors who work hard and lead this team, but we also have some young players that are impact players in games,” Ladage continued. “I think if we can continue to learn to defend as a team, move the ball and attack with pace, we should be able to compete in the league.”