Bellingham, WA -  Whatcom Community College Orcas Men's Soccer team has finalized their 2023 schedule.   Jason Jorgenson returns as the head coach this season, and he is preparing the team with tough preseason scrimmages to get ready for the NWAC North Region league.  Jorgenson relates saying, "I think this preseason and start of our campaign will be the toughest to date."   The team starts their preseason with a home game against the University of Frasier Valley at home with a scrimmage on Friday, August 4th at Orca Field at 6:00 p.m.   The team then goes on the road until returning on Friday, Aug. 25th vs. University of Victoria in Bellingham at 2 p.m.  

Jorgenson says, "since we can start having counting games on Aug. 16th we have decided to play against NAIA, CIS, NCAA Division 3 programs to get us ready for the fall NWAC play.  Something we are really looking forward to is having to play those games with something on the line.  It should test the character of our players including their ability to adapt to a faster paced game and opponent.  The North is usually one of the toughest regions with quality coaches and programs.  Each year the programs recruit great players making a more competitive North region."   The first official game is on the 16th as the team visits Douglas College in Surrey, B.C. at 6:00 p.m. The team returns to Canada on Fri., Aug. 18 vs. Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. at the North Field at noon.   Coach Jorgenson feels, "I think being able to play teams across the border gives our players the opportunity to travel to another country and play on the road.  The CIS in CND is Div 1 and many of their players get drafted into the CPL each year which gives us quality to start our year with.   Getting the chance to play against teams that compete at that level allows our players to early on adapt to a quicker game and hopefully allow that to transfer to our NWAC play.  We get to play against 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4^th and sometimes 5^th year players.   The change of hardness that comes with seasoned players gives our players something to strive for and compete against.  All the teams we will play this preseason will be tough.  The guys are really looking forward to the competition and have put in a lot of summer work in regards to fitness and ball handling to get ready."  

Whatcom will eventually get back to playing NWAC teams by visiting the NWAC Friendlies in Tukwila, WA at the Starfire Complex on Aug. 22 and 23.  The Tacoma C.C. Titans and the Highline College Thunderbirds have been two of the toughest in the West Region.   The team then returns home for three preseason games before starting the NWAC North region. 

The league season gets underway with a game vs. Bellevue College on Orca Field on Wed., Sept. 6th at 7:00 p.m.   The coaching staff feels very excited about the season.  Jorgenson says, "we are really excited about the character and dedication to the returning class and the freshman we have recruited to be part of the Orca family.  They already have shown instances where they have gone above and beyond what has been asked of them and we are looking forward to having them all together when they get ready for practice on Aug. 1st.   

Whatcom hopes to be back in the playoffs at the end of the season.  The team lost to Columbia Basin College last November in Pasco for the quarterfinals and they hope to have another chance to play in the playoffs this year.   The first round of the playoffs is Wed., Nov. 2nd.   If they win, they will then play the quarterfinals on Sat., Nov. 5th.  The NWAC Semi Finals are on Fri., Nov. 11 at Starfire in Tukwila.  The NWAC Championship game is on Sunday, Nov. 13th back at the Starfire Complex.  

Regular season games are $7.00 for adults.  $5.00 for seniors/military with ID/students from other schools with an ID.   FREE For children under 6.  FREE for Whatcom Students, Staff, and Faculty with presentation of a valid ID. 

ABOUT WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Intercollegiate athletics provides a variety of learning experiences for students and helps build pride and a sense of community for the College. WCC supports seven intercollegiate varsity sport teams: men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball, and men's and women's cross country.

ABOUT NWAC CONFERENCE

The Northwest Athletic Conference is the parent organization for thirty-six (36) community colleges located in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The NWAC has a variety of administrative responsibilities including conference tournament management, eligibility, publications, rule enforcement and sports information.

The growth of the community colleges over the past few decades has been impressive. The colleges in the Northwest are comprehensive in nature and provide a variety of academic and vocational offerings as well as many enrichment activities for their students. As our student-athletes have transitioned into a work environment, many have provided testimony about the significant benefit and value that participation in community college athletics provided for them. Enrollment in community colleges continues to grow as does interest, participation, and membership within the NWAC. 

2023 WHATCOM MEN'S SOCCER SCHEDULE