By NATHAN WHALEN

Special to the News-Times

With a 12-2 overall record and being the sixth-ranked team in the WIAA 3A girls soccer poll, Oak Harbor is wrapping up their regular season this week and will prepare for the district playoffs.

“The season has been solid so far and the girls’ efforts have put us in a good position moving into the playoffs. We have a good group of ladies,” Oak Harbor girls soccer coach Mike Lonborg said in an email. “The season is a long grind and so it’s about trying to keep the girls as healthy as possible and still being effective during our training time. The girls do a great job of staying loose and having fun and taking things seriously when it’s time.”

He said Oak Harbor has a strong core of players who compete for various soccer clubs off-island, which has been a “significant contributor” to the Wildcats success this season. “Playing for eight or nine months, in addition to the high school team, provides the girls with the necessary practice to stay competitive.”

Oak Harbor’s varsity team consists of seven seniors, 10 juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.

If the standings as of Oct. 22 hold, Lonborg said Oak Harbor will skip the play-in round of the District 1, 3A tournament and proceed to the double-elimination tournament comprised of 3A schools from the Northwest and Wesco conferences. The district tournament begins Oct. 31. Four teams will advance to the state tournament.

The Wildcats faced one Wesco team during the regular season, a 4-1 win against Everett on Sept. 16.

Lonborg said Oak Harbor will compete against several formidable teams in the district tournament. Snohomish and Shorewood have considerable talent, Shorecrest consistently demonstrates strong coaching and skill, and Monroe is having an impressive year.

Oak Harbor qualified for the state tournament in 2023 after a long wait, Lonborg said.

“Achieving this milestone is again one of our primary goals for the current year. Most importantly, the girls aimed to unite as a cohesive team, working together and supporting each other, rather than acting as individuals,” Lonborg said. “They have done a good job in fostering team spirit, participating in activities beyond soccer, and maintaining unity both on and off the field – a challenging task given the length and intensity of our season.”

Oak Harbor earned three wins last week – 3-2 against Squalicum, 5-0 against Meridian, and 6-1 against Mount Baker.