MARYSVILLE — The split with Marysville Getchell starts with the girls soccer program.

While the approximately 70 girls trying out at Marysville-Pilchuck for the 2010 season won’t be split into two varsity teams, there will be a second C team which will represent the soon-to-open facility on Getchell Road.

“It should be interesting,” said Gary Riozzi, Marysville-Pilchuck head girls soccer coach. “But it will be good, too. Last year we had to actually turn girls away because we didn’t have enough space for them.”

With soccer being a popular sport in Marysville, the talent won’t be split between the schools for one more year and Riozzi said that such a large turnout has become the norm nowadays.

Of course, almost any soccer loving girl would want a chance to play for a playoff-caliber team, which is exactly what Marysville-Pilchuck is, coming off a 2009 season where the Lady Tomahawks finished 7-8 and earned the fourth seed at districts.

This year will be different, however, as the new Wesco alignment has cut the 3A teams out of the division and substituted them for 4A teams Kamiak, Jackson, Edmonds-Woodway and Mariner.

Good thing for Marysville that it will bring back seven starters from last season, starting with senior captain Becca Lentz.

“Becca is a sound player,” Riozzi said. “She can hold the ball and pass very well.”

Lentz will join Krista Riozzi on offense, along with midfielder Stephani Hagberg. Meanwhile Melissa Kirk will provide a presence and help with maintaining possession while Lauren Schoonover will remain in goal.

Also, senior forwards Mady Schoonover and Danielle Norton will continue to put pressure on opposing defenders.

As far as the rest of the Wesco is concerned, Riozzi pointed to Monroe as being the team to beat, but also mentioned Snohomish.

“There are four teams that are pretty much up there all the time,” he said. “Lake Stevens is there, but they lost a few seniors and Snohomish is always strong.”

But Riozzi warned that Jackson and Edmonds-Woodway could likely wear out their welcome in the new standings, with a finish at or near the top.

Marysville-Pilchuck can’t ease into the season either, as the Tommies begin their season on the road against Monroe Sept. 9.

As far as expectations go for the Tomahawks, Riozzi said that while it will be more difficult to earn another spot at the district tournament, his girls have the talent to do so.

“The competition will be tough, and it will be clearer as we go through turnouts, but we have the pieces to make it interesting and repeat the success that we’ve had,” he said.