BLAINE

BORDERITES

Coach: Dan Steelquist

Last year: Finished eighth in the Class 2A Northwest Conference standings with a league record of 2-11-0. ... Did not qualify for postseason and finished 2-14-0 overall.

Players to watch: Nicole Statham (sr., M/F); Liz Berry (sr., D); Olivia Olason (jr., F); Jessica Belding (so., D); Hope Wilkett (sr., F)

Outlook: The Borderites struggled to earn wins last year, but Blaine coach Dan Steelquist hopes an additional year of experience, combined with the winning attitude the Borderites have showed during practice, will add up to more Ws in 2012. "We got a group of hard working girls, and we have a good balance between seniors and sophomores," Steelquist said during a phone interview. "The girls worked hard over the summer. I hope the new freshmen jump in and the team starts right where it left off last season." Co-captains Nicole Statham and Liz Berry provide Blaine leadership up top and along the back line, respectively. Jessica Belding and Emily Roe will help Berry in the back, and upperclassmen Olivia Olason and Hope Wilkett provide stability in the midfield and at the forward position.

2012 ROSTER

Player Yr. Pos.

Shirin Roth-Lerner Sr. GK

Anna Hewitt Sr. GK

Nicole Statham Sr. M

Liz Berry Sr. M

Alicia Allison Sr. D

Hope Wilkett Sr. F

Alexis McElwain Jr. D

Olivia Olason Jr. F

Jessica Belding So. D

Gretchen Kordas So. D

Emily Roe So. M

Ashley Quesada Fr. M

Caitlyn Sharp Fr. D

Caylie Sharp Fr. D

Taylor Bryan Fr. M

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 4 at Sultan 6 p.m.

Sept. 6 Nooksack Valley (Pipeline) 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 8 Granite Falls (Pipeline) Noon

Sept. 11 Burlington-Edison (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Lynden Christian* 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Nooksack Valley* 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 Anacortes (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Bellingham (Northwest)* 4 p.m.

Sept. 27 at Ferndale* 4 p.m.

Oct. 2 Meridian (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Sehome (Northwest)* 4 p.m.

Oct. 9 Squalicum (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 Mount Baker (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Friday Harbor Noon

Oct. 16 at Lynden (Bender)* 4 p.m.

Oct. 18 Sedro-Woolley (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

*NWC game

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