By NATHAN WHALEN

Special to the News-Times

For the first time in 20 years, Oak Harbor’s girls soccer team is competing in the state tournament.

The Wildcats secured the 13 seed thanks to a 1-0 victory over Everett in one consolation game Nov. 2 at the District 1, 3A tournament at Shoreline Stadium.

“I felt like we controlled the game,” coach Mike Lonborg said. “The team played good. I feel we could play better.”

About halfway through the first half, junior Addison Boyer scored Oak Harbor’s lone goal off a corner kick from sophomore Maddie Mays, Lonborg said.

“Our defense did a good job across the board,” he said.

Goalkeeper senior Lauren Marrs earned the shutout. Lonborg highlighted the defensive efforts of senior Anna Suto and senior Carly Vangiesen.

After winning their first two games in the District 1 tournament, the Wildcats lost to Shorecrest 5-1 in the semifinals at Shoreline Stadium.

“We played a very, very, very good team,” Lonborg said of Shorecrest. The Highlanders advanced to the finals, where they lost to Shorewood. The finalists, as well as the winners of two consolation finals, advance to the state tournament.

With the 13 seed, Oak Harbor is hosting its first-round matchup against Kentlake, which has an 8-6 overall record and placed second in the NPSL. The game took place Tuesday, Nov. 7 at Oak Harbor High School. Game time was 6 p.m. The game was after the Whidbey News-Times’ press time.

When Oak Harbor competed in the state tournament in 2003, the Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals.

Lonborg said the Wildcats qualifying for the state tournament not only is a testament to the current girls on the team, “it’s a testament of all the girls who have played for the past 10 years.”