BLAINE

BORDERITES

Coach: Mike Couto

Last year: Finished eighth in the Class 1A Northwest Conference standings with a record of 1-12-0. ... Did not qualify for postseason and ended season 3-13-0 overall.

Players to watch: Nick Butschli (jr., F); Christian Sharp (jr., M/D); Bud Halldorsen (sr., GK); John Cochran (jr., M); Konner Van Rigswijck (so., M)

Outlook: The Borderites have adopted a new motto: Play for May. It's been a long time since Blaine has played past April, but with another year of experience coupled with the drop to Class 1A, coach Mike Couto believes the Borderites may buck the trend of turning in game jerseys in April this year. "If the guys want to play past April, it means that they are pushing and playing hard," Couto said in a phone interview. "They are hungry for that, and they desire for that." Blaine will need to find a way to limit and score more goals this season if it wants to make true on its postseason aspirations. Nick Butschli will be counted on to produce from the forward spot, and John Cochran and Konner Van Rigswijck are strong midfielders who'll help Blaine control the middle third. Senior Bud Halldorsen returns to goal with another year of experience under his belt, and Couto is looking to play versatile Christian Sharp in either a midfield or a defensive position. "We're starting to get some guys going on three or four years that are really coming into their own," Couto said. "They're really working the ball around together and are starting to create plays."

2013 ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Pos.

1 Bud Halldorsen Sr. GK

2 David Shapiro Jr. N/A

3 Dustin Paige Jr. D

4 Kai Griffin Jr. M

5 Denton Morin Fr. N/A

7 Peter Benne Jr. D

8 Danny Thorpe Sr. F

9 Nick Butschli Jr. F

10 John Cochran Jr. M

11 Christian Sharp Jr. M/D

12 Luke Zuzarte So. M

15 Zack Oakley Fr. N/A

16 Garren Economy Jr. N/A

17 Konner Van Rijswijck So. M

2013 SCHEDULE

March 12 at Meridian 4:30 p.m.

March 14 Nooksack Valley (Pipeline) 4:30 p.m.

March 16 Lynden Christian (Pipeline) noon

March 18 Burlington-Edison (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

March 20 at Lynden Christian (Bender)* 5:30 p.m.

March 22 at Nooksack Valley* 4:30 p.m.

March 26 Anacortes (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

March 28 at Bellingham (Northwest)* 4 p.m.

April 9 at Ferndale* 4 p.m.

April 11 Meridian* (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

April 15 at Sehome (Civic)* 7:30 p.m.

April 17 Squalicum (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

April 19 Mount Baker (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

April 20 at Friday Harbor noon

April 23 at Lynden (Bender)* 5:30 p.m.

April 25 Sedro-Woolley (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

*NWC game

Spelling of Konner Van Rijswijck corrected on March 18

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