The promising underclassmen of the Oak Harbor boys soccer team will move to center stage this spring for the Wildcats.

Coach Brian Thompson returns 12 players from last year’s varsity roster but only one senior, Vance Freitas.

Three juniors, Caleb Gatica-Cortes, Matt Jensen and Isaiah Trower, return; Gatica-Cortes was an all-Wesco honorable mention choice in 2011.

Rounding out the group are sophomores Daniel Ross, Ben McCornack, Alex Krantz, Andrew Mitchell, Tommy Murphy, Caley Powers, Kevin Silveira and Gavin Stewart.

Playing eight freshmen last season in the always strong Wesco wasn’t ideal, Thompson said, but their growth should help Oak Harbor be more competitive this year.

Thompson said although his young team “is still building,” it is “looking to have a great season.”

The Wildcats head directly into conference play when they open at Shorecrest at Shoreline Stadium Tuesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. The home opener is Monday, March 19, with Glacier Peak at 7:30 p.m.