Citing COVID-related issues, the Grays Harbor College women’s soccer team has been unable to take the field since Sept. 22, causing the forfeit or cancellation of multiple games.

According to GHC Athletic Director Will Rider, the team has experienced multiple issues — many COVID related — that has reduced its roster size to just 13 players.

“There is a combination of issues that have accumulated the past few weeks that have led to these cancellations,” Rider said, clarifying that the program has been hampered by trying to recruit during COVID, state-mandated mandatory vaccinations, some injuries and a few players choosing to leave the team.

“Coach (Pablo) Rodriguez has done an outstanding job of trying to keep things together in the face of all these collective challenges, but it still comes down to healthy bodies that can suit up and play,” Rider said. “It is our goal and intention to soldier-on and maintain a commitment to meet our scheduling demands and we hope to be able to take the field on Wednesday against Bellevue at Stewart Field.”

Grays Harbor struggled in its first two games of the season, losing 8-0 to Lower Columbia on Sept. 18 followed by a 16-0 loss to Tacoma four days later.

Since that time, GHC has forfeited games against Centralia and Highline and had to cancel a game against Bellevue.

Rider went on to state that school administrators will re-evaluate the situation if COVID issues continue to plague the team.

“Right now our intention is to play the rest of our schedule and those who are healthy to continue to practice and prepare for that end,” he said.

GHC is scheduled to host Bellevue at noon Wednesday at Stewart Field in Aberdeen.

BOYS PREP TENNIS

Aberdeen 3, Tumwater 1

Aberdeen swept the singles matches and got a big win in the top doubles match to defeat Tumwater 4-2 on Friday in Aberdeen.

The Bobcats got singles wins from Colton Faulkner, Andrew Troeh and Foster Patterson, each of whom cruised to victory as they combined to outscore their opponents 36-5 in sets.

Aberdeen (3-4-1 overall) also won the No. 1 doubles match, with the duo of Ashdon Swope and Kyle Miller defeating Kaleb Petersen and Cody Lambert in a 6-4, 2-6, 10-7 thriller.

Miller produced an ace at 8-6 of the super-tiebreaker third set with Swope producing “great ground strokes,” according to Aberdeen head coach Dave Brunke to secure the Bobcats victory.

Singles — Colton Faulkner (Aberdeen) defeated Tanner Brewer (Tumwater) 6-1, 6-1. Andrew Troeh (A) def. Lucas Maraman (T) 6-0, 6-3. Foster Patterson (A) def. Judah Roach (T) 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles — Ashdon Swope/Kyle Miller (A) def. Kaleb Petersen/Cody Lambert (T) 6-4, 2-6, 10-7. Gavin Feldtman/Lawson Lougheed (T) def. Kevin Eng/Brodyn Osina (A) 7-6 (7-1), 6-4. Spencer Fillippone/Riley Clemmons (T) def. Charlie Carossino/Jamieson Berney (A) 6-3, 6-0.