A very solid and experienced (six seniors, eight juniors) Columbia High Bruins girls soccer team is focusing on continuing more success this season after posting a winning record in 2023 and nearly reaching the WIAA Class 1A state playoffs.
The Bruins (5-5 Trico League, 8-7 overall in 2023) have some new players, a new first-year head coach in Parker Walker and high hopes of enjoying another very successful season.
“Our team is building off of last year’s momentum, and possession offensively and team defending are the key areas we are continuing to develop,” said Walker, who was the Bruins’ assistant coach and interim head coach last year. “This season, we have 14 players new to the Columbia High School girls soccer program. I am thrilled by their skill level, commitment and enthusiasm. Along with so many new faces, we have six seniors who provide a depth of soccer knowledge and experience.”
Those seniors are Sequoia Cohen, Athziri Cortes-Gonzales, Saylor Hauge, Sadie Hohensee, Iris Marquez and Lily Zamacona. The Bruins have nearly everyone returning from a squad that tied for third place with King’s Way in the six-team Trico League standings a year ago.
“Our team has set high goals and expectations, and we are going to do our best to meet and exceed those goals,” said Walker, who played college soccer for Willamette University (2014-2018) in Salem. “Most importantly, this team has expressed the desire to continue creating an environment of unity, inclusivity and support.”
The Bruins will be led this season by Cohen (defender) and Hauge (midfielder), who earned Trico League first team, all-star awards a year ago. Hohensee (defender) and sophomore Kiera Bucher (midfielder) earned second team, all-league awards in 2023. Juniors Sage Witherite and Mariela Casarez both earned Trico League honorable mention awards.
Columbia’s 12-game Trico League schedule starts with a Sept. 17, 7 p.m. contest versus the Seton Catholic High Cougars (9-1 league, 12-4 overall in 2023) in Vancouver. The La Center High Wildcats (9-1 league, 14-2 overall) and the Cougars were Trico co-champions last year. The Bruins play their first home game Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. versus La Center in White Salmon.
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