Win over Wolves sends Bucs to playoffs | Soccer

The win over the Sequim Wolves May 3 was more than just a good way to end the last league game for the Kingston Buccaneers varsity team.

KINGSTON — The win over the Sequim Wolves May 3 was more than just a good way to end the last league game for the Kingston Buccaneers varsity team.

The 5-3 win means the Bucs skip the sub-district tournament as the second best 2A school and go straight to the district playoffs.

As it stands May 4, the Bucs are scheduled to play either the fifth seed of the South Puget Sound League or second seed of the Seamount League. The Bucs are currently scheduled to play 1 p.m. May 12 at North Kitsap High School Stadium.

The North Kitsap Vikings, which took the Olympic League title May 1, are the top seed in the Olympic League. They are scheduled to play 11 a.m. May 12 at NKHS Stadium against either the fourth seed in the Seamount League or South Puget Sound League. The Vikings defeated Port Angeles 7-0 for the title and top seed.

The playoff schedule is subject to change.

Though the playoffs will be first-round elimination, skipping sub-districts gives both the Bucs and Vikings a break. It also gives the coaches a chance to scout potential opponents during sub-districts, which will be May 9.

Buccaneer coach Craig Smith is impressed not only by his own team, but all those soccer teams — schools and clubs alike — in the north end of Kitsap. Smith said the Vikings have a good shot at “going all the way” in the postseason. The Bucs, he said, have a good shot at State as well.

The Bucs have not been to State since the first season more than five years ago. But if the team plays like it did May 3 against the Wolves, a State appearance isn’t out of the question.

Though the Wolves played better than the last time the two teams squared off, Smith said the Bucs created a lot of scoring opportunities.

After the Bucs settled into the game, the first two goals of the night came swiftly from Kingston’s Cody Sweeney and Ansel Hartman — with an assist by Colin Stone.

The second half included three Sequim goals and three more Kingston goals. Kingston’s Nick Boles had a hand in all three goals for the Bucs, scoring two and assisting Hartman with one.

One of Boles’ kicks, which was from a free kick, was like watching a professional soccer player, Smith said. The ball skimmed just underneath the cross bar.”The goalie didn’t have a chance,” Smith said.

With the postseason, the Bucs could see some change in its lineup. Thomas Nitchman, who was out most of the season with a concussion, may be able to return. Right now, he can practice, but not play.

Smith said midfield/defenseman Colin Stone is more focused. And sophomore Goalkeeper Kyle Van Wyck is stepping up as well, taking charge and owning his space around the goal.

As for Smith’s pre-season decision to play less conservative soccer, moving Boles to a forward position has worked out in the Buc’s favor.

“You don’t make the players fit the styles,” Smith said. “You make the styles fit the players.”

Results for home game against Sequim May 3

Final: KHS 5, Sequim 3

First — 1, KHS, Sweeney, 28th; 2, KHS, Hartman (Stone), 40th.Second — 3, Seq, Venegas, 42nd; 4, KHS, Boles, 44th; 5, KHS, Hartman (Boles), 56th; 6, Seq, Pinza, 58th; 7, KHS, Boles (Burk), 63rd; 8, Seq, Gonzalez, 79th.

Results for North Kitsap game against Klahowya

Final: NK 2, Klahowya 0

First — 1, NK, Moriarty (Ferland), 33rd.Second — 2, NK, Young (Moriarty), 60th.