Arlington soccer aims for another district run

ARLINGTON — With just four seniors lost to graduation, Arlington girls soccer coach Nathan Davis probably returns one of the most experienced teams in the league from last year's district tournament run.

With a few other losses — one sophomore heeding the siren call of cross country and another moving out of the district — the team is loaded with upperclassmen and Davis said he was planning his cuts with the team's depth in mind.

The team is loaded with bright spots, including the all-league goalkeeper Chelsea Boulton, a first-team pick. She'll help lead the team with midfielder Jessica Van Loo, who stood out as an honorable mention choice in a year otherwise dominated by 3A state champs Everett and 4A district tourney program Lake Stevens.

Offensively, Arlington will rely heavily on senior forward Kristina Longosky, junior Macky Adell and sophomore Sadie Hitsky. Senior Reggie Smithson will anchor the defense with fellow senior Rebecca Wadey, while junior Samantha Coy, another all-leaguer last year, will move up to help fill in the midfield where the Eagles took their biggest hit to graduation.

The team's goal, according to Davis, is to return to the district tournament and improve on their first-round exit to Shorewood, who went on to nab one of the three state tournament berths. All three went to Wesco South schools last year.

A tougher, more experienced Eagle soccer team should be a force in Wesco North this year, though they'll face an uphill battle for the spotlight with loaded Lake Stevens and Everett squads. The team will also have to steer clear of internal struggles that can result from the addition of new members.

"Meshing everyone together will be harder," Davis said.

Arlington will visit Everett for the first game of the season Sept. 8, returning home to host Marysville-Pilchuck on Sept. 10.

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Contact Arlington Times Sports Reporter Danielle Szulczewski at dszulczewski@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300.

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