Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — We could see a repeat of last year’s North Coast Section Division-III championship in girls soccer this season.

You never know for sure how the seedings committee is going to see things, but it’s likely that Technology and St. Bernard’s will get the top two seeds again.

The Rohnert Park school plays in the far easier NCL-III and has an overall record of 11-3-1 this season, while St. Bernard’s is 6-8-1, but plays mostly against Big 5 schools.

“I think they’ll look better (to the NCS) because of their win record, and I’m fine if they’re No. 1, we should still get a bye,” St. Bernard’s coach Phil Rouse said.

Their harder schedule should have the Crusaders better prepared for the playoffs, and they’ve learned a few tricks along the way.

St. Bernard’s Marayah Tomlinson

“I tell my team that every year, it’s going to be tough playing league, we’re going to get beat up,” Rouse said. “But we still had some bright spots.”

Most notably a 2-1 loss against Eureka in a game the Crusaders honed a new defensive system that they can confidently unleash again if needed.

“That was a good learning experience for them,” Rouse said. “And we know we can do it again.”

The Crusaders, who will find out their playoff seed and opponent on Sunday, will also use a potential rematch against Technology for motivation after losing to the Titans in the NCS decider a year ago in a game they felt they should have won.

“All our seniors will remember that game,” Rouse said. “We just need to finish our chances if we are to be successful.”