With high school boys soccer in full motion, there are several area teams and league storylines to follow as the season draws closer to the midway point.
Here are five things to watch over the rest of 2023 season:
Can Edmonds-Woodway continue to build on successful 2022 season?
The Warriors have maintained a spot at the top of the ladder in the early portion of the 2023 season, posting a 5-0-1 record entering Friday and having allowed only 0.8 goals per game. Edmonds-Woodway knocked off league opponent Arlington in a winner-to-state game in 2022 and finished the year 14-5-2, falling to Lakeside in the round of 16 for Class 3A.
Senior midfielder Ben Hanson is back for the Warriors after delivering 18 goals as a junior. He helped lead E-W to a 4-1 win over Archbishop Murphy on Tuesday, scoring two goals with two assists.
How long can Shorewood maintain its untarnished record?
After falling one game short of a state tournament berth in 2022, the Stormrays (6-0-0 entering Friday) have been firing on all cylinders to start the year. After beating King’s 7-2 on March 14, they haven’t allowed a goal since. During the 2022 season, they shut out opponents nine times. Junior outside back Issak Abraham played a key role in Shorewood’s defensive prowess last year, as well as pitching in 13 goals and five assists.
Shorecrest fights for a top-3 spot in Wesco league race
The Scots ended their dominant 2022 campaign in a 2-1 loss to O’Dea in the opening round at state, finishing the year 18-2 as they garnered the Wesco 3A/2A league title. Graduating a heavy senior class from last season, the Scots entered Friday at 4-1-1, tied with Arlington for third place in the league.
Shorecrest has given up just three total goals across six games so far this year, replicating its defensive success in 2022, when it allowed just nine goals all season, completing 13 shutouts.
Shorecrest players celebrate a goal against Edmonds-Woodway during a match on May 3, 2022, at Shoreline Stadium. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Will Monroe break through in the postseason again?
The Bearcats had one of the most impressive runs from area teams in 2022, beating O’Dea 6-0 to capture third place in the 3A state tournament. It was Monroe’s first trip to state in 20 years as Korey Hope was tabbed coach of the year for Wesco 3A/2A
Monroe was 2-2-2 entering Friday, sitting in seventh place in the league. An 18-4-1 record in 2022 was brought on by a senior-laden group from the Bearcats previous squad, but they still have some quality returning talent. Returning two-way threat and senior all-leaguer Reid Schaeffer gave Monroe 14 goals and six assists last season as a midfielder.
Monroe goalkeeper Dustin Jenkins makes a save against Shorewood on May 14, 2022, at Shoreline Stadium. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Who will take the top spot in 4A Wesco?
The Wesco 4A regular season race is currently up for the taking. After a wild finish to 2022 that saw Kamiak earn a state berth, the Knights ripped off wins in three straight loser-out games to stay alive, eventually bowing out to Skyline in the 4A quarterfinal round, finishing out the year 11-7-3.
After losing five seniors who were named All-Wesco 4A, the Knights have started the year 0-6, potentially opening the door for a different team as the season moves along.
With league play yet to begin, Jackson (4-3) sat as the only school in the division with a winning record heading into Friday night’s action, while Glacier Peak (2-2-1), Lake Stevens (1-2-1) and Mariner (0-4-1) are all in the mix.
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