Submitted by Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Community College’s new women’s soccer coach will be a familiar face to local soccer fans. Mary Schroeder, a 2002 Western Washington University graduate, was a star player on the Viking soccer squad and is well-known in the local soccer community. Schroeder has successfully coached competitive teams for the Rangers FC and Whatcom Soccer Academy, is the assistant soccer director at the Bellingham Sportsplex, and has been an assistant soccer coach at Western and Whatcom. She replaces former head coach Claire Morgan, who is now an assistant soccer coach at WWU.
“Coaching a community college program has always been a personal goal of mine,” Schroeder says. “To be able to do it in a town I love, coaching many players I’ve watched grow up playing soccer, is an added bonus. I look forward to seeing the women continue to achieve their goals on the soccer field, along with academically.”
Whatcom Athletic Director Chris Scrimsher says he is confident Schroeder will continue the program’s recent growth and success. “She will be a great mentor and role model for our team,” he says. “Mary encompasses all aspects of coaching that we look for at Whatcom. Her academics-first attitude is aligned with our definition of student athlete.”
Joining Schroeder as assistant coach is Ferndale soccer stand-out Megan Manthey, who has been playing soccer internationally with teams in France and Iceland. She was a mid-fielder with the Seattle Sounders women for the 2012 season and, most recently, with the Boston Breakers reserve team.
The Orcas had success on and off the field last year. They finished the season with a 10-2-8 overall record (9-0-7 in league), and an average team GPA of 3.4. In post-season play, they advanced to the quarterfinals of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College playoffs. This year’s pre-season play begins Aug. 26. WCC’s 2014 regular season begins Aug. 30. The first home game at Orca Field is 3 p.m. Sept. 5 with a match against Peninsula College.
