Despite losing five starters to graduation, Hazen soccer coach Ken Matthews expects to pick up where the Highlanders left off last season thanks to the “most heavily senior-laden team” he’s ever had.

“We are a very balanced team with all roster players contributing every night,” he said in an email.

Last year, the Highlanders finished as the Seamount League Champs, with a record of 9-6-4, but lost to eventual state champion Bainbridge in the first round of the state tournament.

Matthews and hi steam once again have their eye on the prize.

“We want to make the playoffs and go from there,” he said.

Matthews said his top returning players were senior forward Sam Bunnell and junior midfielder Ryan Wong.

The Highlanders begin Seamount League tonight, Friday, against Evergreen. The game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Renton Memorial Stadium.

This story has been corrected to change the time of tonight’s game.