Bellingham schools dominated Whatcom County soccer this spring. Squalicum won the Northwest Conference title, Sehome finished second in the Class 2A standings and Bellingham took third in 2A play.

League coaches rewarded city of Bellingham players for their work, as 11 of the 19 All-NWC team Whatcom County selections were from Bellingham schools.

Player of the Year honors went to Mount Vernon's Eric Estrada, and Squalicum coach Joe McAuliffe was selected Coach of the Year.

Bellingham and Sehome each had four selections, but the Red Raiders' were all first-team picks.

Defender Will Lewis, midfielder Riley Michel, goal keeper Auden Schilder and striker Arie Vanderstaay received the first-team nods.

Lewis impressed with his incredible work rate on the backline, Schilder helped Bellingham post 10 shutouts, Michel served as co-captain and scored three times with seven assists and Vanderstaay ranked third in the conference with 18 goals.

Sehome defender Jake Haggen and midfielder Jimmy MacQuarrie were first-teamer selections, and midfielder David Abbott-Smith and forward Alexander Kochman were second-teamers.

MacQuarrie scored a team-best 13 goals, Kochman chipped in seven and Abbott-Smith scored 10 times and added 15 assists. Haggen became regarded as one of the top lock-down defenders in the league.

Forward Spencer Wolfe, midfielder David Starkovich and defender Hans Kogan gave the Storm three first-team selections.

Wolfe and Starkovich served as team captains and each scored 13 goals. Kogan developed into a great backline defender for McAuliffe's club.

Lynden's lone first-team selection was midfielder Logan Smith. Forward Arturo Torres, goal keeper Hector Gutierrez and defender Isaac Bogart were second-team selections.

Smith, a junior, scored 11 goals, tallied six assists and was billed "the heart and soul of our team" by Lions' coach Drew Smiley. Torres recorded 14 goals, Gutierrez starred as a freshman keeper and Bogart proved his dominance as a top-flight defender.

Ferndale's NWC-leading goal scorer Heath Sowers (22 goals) was a first-team selections, and teammate John Gonzalez was a second-team selection as a defender.

Lynden Christian midfielder Lucas Reardon and Meridian defender Kody Moreno earned second-team recognition.

All-Northwest Conference boys' soccer team

Player of the Year: Eric Estrada, Mount Vernon

Coach of the Year: Joe McAuliffe, Squalicum

First team

Player, school Pos.

Auden Schilder, Bellingham GK

Alex Bell, Mount Vernon D

Will Lewis, Bellingham D

Hans Kogan, Squalicum D

Jake Haggen, Sehome D

Chad Spady, Burlington-Edison D

Jimmy MacQuarrie, Sehome M

David Starkovich, Squalicum M

Riley Michel, Bellingham M

Logan Smith, Lynden M

Blake Dimock, Burlington-Edison M

Spencer Wolfe, Squalicum F

Heath Sowers, Ferndale F

Arie Vanderstaay, Bellingham F

Ben Bell, Mount Vernon F

First team

Player, school Pos.

Hector Gutierrez, Lynden GK

John Gonzalez, Ferndale D

Isaac Bogart, Lynden D

Justin Costanza, Anacortes D

Kody Moreno, Meridian D

Calvin Rutherford, Sedro-Woolley D

David Abbott-Smith, Sehome M

Lucas Reardon, Lynden Christian M

Garrett Barber, Mount Vernon M

Kyle Witzel, Sedro-Woolley M

Michael Cortright, Anacortes F

Arturo Torres, Lynden F

Sergio Garcia, Mount Vernon F

Alexander Kochman, Sehome F

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.