Lynden’s historic season has it rising in girls’ soccer power rankings

1. Squalicum (previous rank: 1): A test finally came the Storm’s way and it passed with flying colors. The 1-0 win should only help the Storm prepare for what is likely to be a deep postseason run.

2. Burlington-Edison (previous rank: 2): The Tigers went scoreless for the first time this year but coach Ryan Kuttel has to be pleased with his defense, most notably goalkeeper Jenny Gustafson.

3. Lynden (previous rank: 4): Coach Carlos Melendez has led his team to the district playoffs for the first time in school history. He has sophomore star Sierra Smith, who now has 16 goals, to thank.

4. Sehome (previous rank: 3): The Mariners were the only team to take points from Squalicum last year. Don’t count them out from doing so again Thursday under the lights of Civic Stadium.

5. Ferndale (previous rank: 6): Scoring has not come easy this season for the Golden Eagles. It’s something that will have to be corrected if Joe Gonzalez and his side want to be going to state.

6. Sedro-Woolley (previous rank: 8): Goalkeeper Charmaine DeWit has been impressing coaches around the league and the Cubs have won the last two, scoring 13 goals in the process.

7. Bellingham (previous rank: 7): The Red Raiders are on the outside of the postseason picture. That’s not a spot Mark Wright and his team have become accustomed to the past couple years.

8. Meridian (previous rank: 5): The Trojans have only one win in the last six games and with Squalicum and Burlington-Edison this week, it appears they will enter districts amid a rough patch.

9. Lynden Christian (previous rank: 10): Sixteen goals in the last three games means the offensive struggles have ended and the Lyncs are headed in the right direction at the perfect time.

10. Mount Baker (previous rank: 11): The Mountaineers will be in the district playoffs and could just pull off an upset or two along the way. This team has shown some talent the last week.

11. Blaine (previous rank: 9): Kelly Tuski’s team might not be headed to the postseason but two wins in the last three games sure sound nice and it’s entirely possible for the Borderites.

12. Anacortes (previous rank: 12): It’s been a rough go for the Seahawks this season, but at least they’re scoring goals and that’s more than some teams can say in the Northwest Conference.

13. Nooksack Valley (previous rank: 13): Coach Kevin Rus knew this season wasn’t going to be easy but if the young players can stick around, there’s nowhere to go but up.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 8:44 AM with the headline "Lynden’s historic season has it rising in girls’ soccer power rankings."