POULSBO — With soccer season under way, North Kitsap boys’ team captain Marc Anderson said he believes the Vikings should contend for no lower than second place in the Narrows Bridge Division this year.

Sound ambitious? Probably. But when you consider that the team went from winning only two games two seasons ago to garnering a winning record last year, it’s easy to see why Anderson and his team have high aspirations.

The squad, which went 6-5-4 a year ago, has adjusted its goals greatly due to its recent successes under second year coach Pat Stickney. They now enter a tightly contested Narrows League looking not only to make a name for themselves with local rivals, but to kick up enough wins to garner a trip to the playoffs.

“We’re looking forward to going all the way this year,” Anderson said.

The team is sewn together on the field by senior leadership in the forward, mid-field and defensive areas. Anderson leads the mid group, while Jon Critch, one of the Vikings’ leading scorers a year ago, leads the forwards.

“We have a lot of skilled players and good defenders,” said senior Mike Hulst, who helps anchor the back line. “If we play together, I think we can do well.”

“This is a very, very talented, quick group that should be very creative,” coach Stickney added.

Unfortunately, the team will be without two of its most potent threats at the beginning of the season. Sam Tomlinson recently broke his ankle and Taylor Mason currently has mononucleosis. Stickney said he’s not sure when either will be ready for action.

But the future of the soccer program looks bright, Stickney added, as the team has a number of talented freshman and sophomores who will be stepping up to fill the Viking varsity ranks next year. One such player the second year coach mentioned was Jean-Luc Klinkert, a freshman at Christ the King Academy. Klinkert is among other Kingston and Poulsbo junior high school ninth graders who are allowed to play a year early, as there is no soccer program at their own schools.

“Kids like him are showing wonderful promise,” Stickney said.

As far as individual matches are concerned, the Vikings are most looking forward to playing Gig Harbor this season. North lost to the talented Tides twice last year. If there is any team NK would like to beat on the field in the Narrows, it is the powerful GH.

“If they want to be successful, they’re going to have to go through Gig Harbor,” Stickney said.