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.