Two of Bellingham's most competitive high school soccer programs meet Saturday at noon for one of the most anticipated early-conference matchups of the fall season. Sehome travels to Squalicum High School for a game that both programs have circled on their schedules since the summer, and the result could set the tone for the entire Northwest Conference race.
The game kicks off at 12 p.m. Saturday, September 12, at Squalicum High School. Both teams carry high expectations into a season where the balance of power in local girls soccer may be shifting in meaningful ways.
A Rivalry With Recent History
The Sehome-Squalicum matchup has been one of the most competitive in the Northwest Conference for the past several years. In recent meetings, Sehome either drew or edged out narrow victories against Squalicum, with both teams consistently bringing some of the most talented players in the state. Sehome held an advantage along its defensive line in those contests, while Squalicum countered with one of the top goalkeepers in the region.
That dynamic may look different in 2026. Sehome debatably had the best individual player in the conference in recent seasons, but this year the Mariners lean on a senior-heavy roster. Key players include forward Amaia Reid, midfielder Ayla Woodworth, and defenders Alexis Maldonado and Macy Alexander. Senior Whitney Parrow takes over in goal for Sehome, stepping into what could be the most scrutinized position on either team.
Squalicum returns one of the more experienced lineups in the conference. The Storm are led by seniors Lexi Robbins, Arya Sabado, Sydney Fuller, and Madeleine Potts. Junior Siri Hoglin returns as one of the top goal-scorers in the conference, giving Squalicum a proven attacking threat even as the team navigates some transitions elsewhere on the roster. Squalicum has sophomore Claire Bowles and freshman Aliyana Lopez competing for the goalkeeper role, and the competition at that position is one of the more interesting storylines heading into the game.
The Goalkeeper Question
In a matchup between two offensively capable teams, the goalkeeper battle could decide the outcome. Both Sehome's Parrow and Squalicum's Bowles or Lopez are unproven at the varsity level in high-stakes conference play, which means Saturday's game could feature some nervy moments in both nets.
Squalicum's previous goalkeeper was considered one of the top in the region and helped compensate for some defensive vulnerabilities in recent seasons. Whoever steps into that role this year faces an immediate test against a Sehome squad with the technical quality and attacking talent to generate multiple scoring chances.
For Sehome, Parrow enters as a senior with the experience that comes from being part of the program during its recent competitive stretch. Senior goalkeepers tend to carry more composure under pressure than younger options, which could be an advantage in a close game where a single save might be the difference.
Northwest Conference Implications
Playing a conference game this early in September means the result carries real weight in the standings. Teams that stumble in early conference play often spend the rest of the regular season trying to make up ground rather than building momentum.
Both Sehome and Squalicum are located in Bellingham, the largest city in Whatcom County with roughly 95,000 residents. The schools are separated by just a few miles and draw from overlapping communities, which gives their rivalry a genuine neighborhood intensity that goes beyond the scoreboard. Families who have kids at both schools, youth soccer alumni who played with and against current varsity players, and coaches who have watched each other's programs for years all add layers to a game that might look like a routine early-season fixture on paper.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association governs high school sports in Washington state, and the Northwest Conference is one of its most competitive leagues for girls soccer. Both Sehome and Squalicum have made state tournament appearances in recent years, and a strong conference record is the most reliable path back to Tacoma in November.
For Squalicum, the home setting matters. Playing in front of a familiar crowd and on a familiar field gives the Storm a modest but real edge, and the team will want to establish early that they are a legitimate contender rather than a program still searching for its 2026 identity.
How to Watch
The game is scheduled for 12 p.m. Saturday, September 12, at Squalicum High School, 3131 Woburn St. in Bellingham. Prep soccer games in Whatcom County are free and open to the public; no tickets are required for regular season contests. Weather in Bellingham in September is typically mild with some chance of light rain, so layers are recommended for spectators.
Fans looking for full Northwest Conference standings and game results throughout the season can follow updates through the Bellingham School District and individual school athletic pages. More coverage of Whatcom County prep sports is available in our recent recap of Squalicum's season-opening win over Sehome, which ended a five-year losing streak for the Storm earlier this month.
