By NATHAN WHALEN

Special to the News-Times

The Wildcats girls soccer playoff spot depends on the season finale Oct. 24 against Ferndale.

“A lot of it is going to be determined Tuesday night,” said Mike Lonborg, head coach of the girls soccer team. The game took place after the Whidbey News-Times went to press. If the Wildcats earn a top-four seed in the District 1 tournament, then they would earn a bye from the play-in round.

“I don’t think we can catch Ferndale or Mountlake Terrace,” the coach said.

Two of the three Northwest Conference 3A teams and 10 Wesco Conference 3A teams compete in the District 1 tournament. Eight teams compete in a loser-out play-in round before continuing to a double-elimination tournament.

Oak Harbor previously played Ferndale Sept. 18, where the Wildcats lost 2-1.

“We made two very stupid mistakes in the first five minutes, and we were playing catchup,” Lonborg said.

Oak Harbor’s record stands at 10-4-1 heading into the game against Ferndale. Oak Harbor defeated Mount Vernon 5-1 on Oct. 19.

“It’s been a successful season,” Lonborg said noting the Wildcats’ four losses were by one goal.

Oak Harbor’s scoring leaders are junior Addison Boyer, sophomore Maddie Mays and sophomore Payton Champignon, Longborg said. He also highlighted the defensive efforts of senior Anna Suto, who is a team captain.

He noted the presence of sophomore Eleanor Saltonhall. “She is just the rock everything is built around.”

Oak Harbor has seven seniors on the squad. “They’ve got a lot of games under their belt, especially on the club side,” Longborg said.

The Wildcats qualified for district play over the past two years. Earning the fourth seed in 2022, the team won their first game before losing two heartbreakers, Longborg said.

“Our goal is to make it to state,” Longborg said of the team’s goals for 2023.

If Oak Harbor hosts a play-in game, they would play Nov. 26. If they earn a first-round bye, then they would play Nov. 28.

Photo by John Fisken