FERNDALE

GOLDEN EAGLES

Coach: Joe Gonzalez

Last year: Finished second in the Class 3A Northwest Conference standings with a league record of 5-6-2. ... Ended season after going 0-1 in the Class 3A District Tournament and finished 5-9-3 overall. ... Mattie Carlson was an All-Whatcom County selection.

Players to watch: Kelli Bannerman (sr., F); Jordin Bartel (so., F); Jill Monson (fr., M/F); Carly Bannerman (so., F); Ali Gonzalez (jr., D/M)

Outlook: They're a couple perks to Joe Gonzalez's new coaching position with Ferndale: shorter commutes and the opportunity to coach his daughter, Ali Gonzalez. "First off, I'm super excited to be coaching at Ferndale," Gonzalez said in a phone interview. "I miss the girls at Lynden, and the relationships with them, though." Former Ferndale coach Shelly Chambers leaves behind a group full of talented players at nearly every position. Jordin Bartel and Kelli Bannerman could be a formidable goal-scoring duo up top, while Ali Gonzalez and Carly Bannerman should help tighten up the Golden Eagles' defense, which enjoyed a strong 2011 season. Vernelle Johnson gives Ferndale a solid presence in goal. Gonzalez said he has been working on getting his club to play as one unit. He said individual play will flourish when Ferndale plays team ball and added it's harder for opponents to break down individuals than it is a collective group.

2012 ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Pos.

00 Vernelle Johnson Sr. GK

1 Anna Zwade Fr. M

2 Corrie Wilson Sr. D

3 Kelli Bannerman Sr. F

4 Carly Bannerman So. D

5 Koral Weidkamp Sr. M

6 Kayla Downs Fr. M

8 Tina Slaughter Jr. M

9 Dasia Washington So. M

10 Leigh Sund So. M

11 Ali Gonzalez Jr. D/M

13 Jordin Bartel So. F

14 Jill Monson Fr. M/F

15 Shelby Slaughter So. D/M

17 Michaela Vendiola Jr. M

18 Emma Bennett Sr. M/GK

22 Cece George Sr. D

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 4 Sehome 4 p.m.

Sept. 6 Bellingham 4 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Squalicum (WCC) 1 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Anacortes* 6 p.m.

Sept. 13 Mount Baker* 4 p.m.

Sept. 18 at Burlington-Edison* 6 p.m.

Sept. 20 Sedro-Woolley* 4 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Sehome (Civic)* 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 Blaine* 4 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Nooksack Valley* 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 Lynden Christian* 4 p.m.

Oct. 9 at Meridian* 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 Squalicum* 4 p.m.

Oct. 18 Lynden* 4 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Bellingham (Civic)* 7:30 p.m.

*NWC game

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