This fall was a truly special season for the Golden Eagles girls’ soccer team. They earned a berth to the state playoffs, won multiple awards, and got the honor of opening the brand-new Golden Eagles Stadium in September. 

“I am very proud of what this team did,” said captain Mia Kinsfather. “I think we grew a lot as a team this year.” 

The season began on a high note on September 7, with a decisive 7-0 victory at home versus Squalicum. The girls’ soccer team was the first FHS varsity squad to play in Golden Eagles Stadium, with a packed crowd of students and supporters there to cheer them on. 

“Having the opportunity to share the passion this soccer program has with the community was exciting,” said coach Rigel Weis, who’s led FHS girls’ soccer for nearly 10 years. “The girls really fed off the energy that the new stadium and the fans brought to each game. It truly felt like home for everyone involved.” 

“Being the first team to play in the new stadium was an amazing experience,” added senior Audrey Holdridge. 

That was just the start of a dominant season for the Golden Eagles, who didn’t lose their first game for nearly a month. They finished with a record of 9-1-2, winning the Northwest Conference and earning a high seed in the district playoffs. After being upset by Oak Harbor in the first round of districts, the girls quickly bounced back with two straight wins to reach the state playoffs. 

Weis said this was a special moment for a girls’ soccer program that reached state for the first time only five years ago. He believes that 2019 team was the start of a strong legacy for Golden Eagles soccer that should continue into the future. 

“That team was an inspiration to some of the seniors from this year who watched the 2019 state quarterfinals game as 8th graders,” Weis said. “I’m so glad the seniors and the rest of the team got to have a similar experience this year.” 

Ferndale won a tight match in their opening state game against Stadium High School, before losing to the eventual state champions, Roosevelt, the next day. Kinsfather said playing in state was a memorable experience. 

“We had some very close games that went into double overtime and penalty kicks, so we definitely kept people on the edge of their seats,” she said. 

“I loved playing in state this year, it was very thrilling,” added senior Emily Holdridge. 

At the conclusion of the season, the soccer team received a cornucopia of awards and honors from the Northwest Conference. Kinsfather was named to the All-Conference First Team, Audrey and Emily Holdridge were named Co-Offensive MVPs, Layne Lively was named Defensive MVP, and Weis was named Coach of the Year. 

Weis said he wanted to give special thanks to his coaching and athletics team (Marty Moravec, Justin Rubright, Darin Somers, Josh Burton, Mel Avignon, Tom Diimmel, Brian Lynch, and Eric Tripp) for making the new Golden Eagles Stadium feel like home immediately. He also shouted out Abby Arnold, former captain of the 2019 team that broke the state-playoff barrier, for helping with the team this year. 

“They lead by example with the effort, support, and knowledge that they brought every day,” Weis said of his coaching and athletic support team. “They make me a better coach and the girls are lucky to have them.”