BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University head women’s soccer coach Travis Connell has announced the addition of Oak Harbor High School midfielder Caylie Etherington to the program, who signed a national letter of intent to play for the Vikings beginning in 2018.
Etherington is an attacking midfielder who was a four-time All-WESCO League selection and served as a two-year captain for the Wildcats. She played club soccer for Greater Seattle Surf (2017-18), Seattle Reign Academy (2016-17) and Crossfire Premier (2013-16).
As a senior in 2017, Etherington finished 3rd in the WESCO with 13 goals and also had a pair of assists. She was honored with First-Team All-WESCO honors as a junior and was a second-team selection as a senior.
“Caylie is a versatile player that can defend and contribute to the attack,” said WWU head coach Travis Connell. “Her competitive spirit will fit perfect in our locker room and on the field. We are looking forward to the positive impact she will make on our team.”
The Vikings are coming off another strong season in 2017 going 18-2 and playing in the NCAA II West Regional Championship game for the fifth time in the last six seasons. After winning the 2016 NCAA II national championship, the Vikings opened the season 15-0-0 to extend their winning streak to a program-record 39 consecutive games, the 4th-longest winning streak in NCAA II history. Over the last six seasons the WWU program has risen to the elite ranks of collegiate soccer, compiling a 118-11-7 (.893) record, advancing to the NCAA II Championships each season during this stretch dating back to 2012.
WWU is scheduled to open the 2018 season with a road trip to San Diego, facing Point Loma (Aug. 30) and West Region rival UC San Diego (Sept. 1). The Vikings are also scheduled to play three exhibition games vs. Canadian schools, beginning with an Aug. 16 friendly at the University of British Columbia.
The upcoming spring schedule of non-counting games will feature seven games, including a home doubleheader at Harrington Field vs. UBC and Peninsula College on March 11 and Trinity Western and Highlight Community College on April 10. WWU will play three away games vs. top-level Division I programs, including the University of Portland (April 14), Washington State (April 22) and the University of Washington (May 3).
