With all but two starters returning, the Oak Harbor High School soccer team is ready to secure a postseason berth is spring.

The sophomore class was the core of last year’s young team, according to coach Brian Thompson.

That group is maturing physically, getting “bigger and stronger,” Thompson said, and is better suited for the rigors of Western Conference play.

Nine of those sophomores lettered last year, led by first-team, all-league selection J.J. Mitchell. Andrew Franssen, Seth Gluth, Jared Hoyt, Josh Coe, Kurtis Zylstra, Kegan Snell, Cameron Costner and Jordan Shelley also return from that group.

This year’s seniors include four letter winners: Eric Jensen, Kyle Truex, Alex Waner and Ramon Acosta.

Jensen earned first-team honors in 2015.

Thompson said newcomers junior exchange student Rodrigo Columbo, junior Spencer Champion and freshman Nathan Merrill should fill the void left by the graduated seniors.

The team will be strong up front, according to Thompson, with Mitchell, Merrill, Champion and Columbo rotating through the midfielder and forward spots.

Defense is a concern.

“We need to get stronger there,” Thompson said.

Another concern, Thompson noted, is attendance. The Wildcats were hurt last year by players who missed games because of other commitments, including five starters who were gone during spring break.

“When you miss making the playoffs by one match, players being gone is a big deal,” Thompson said.

Getting back to the postseason is the primary goal this season.

“I really want to make it,” Thompson said.

Oak Harbor posted a 2-13-1 record last spring, going 2-9-1 in league play.

The Wildcats travel to Anacortes at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12, and then open at home with Mount Vernon at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15.