It was a year of transitions for the boys soccer teams in the Central Kitsap School District.

For Olympic, it was another run as the league’s top 3A school, even with a number of younger players on the field, including a sophomore in goal. But the Trojans still finished 9-7-0 overall, 9-2-0 in Oly League action. Oly advanced back to districts before the road ended a game shy of state.

Central Kitsap, on the other hand, had a number of seniors up and down the lineup in key spots. While they too had youth on the field, it was senior leaders like Kane Williams, Zach and Lee Pendt and Colin Barry, among others, that led CK to a 7-6-4 overall record. The Cougars fell a game shy of districts, their season ended by rivals North Kitsap.

And while Klahowya struggled to a 2-13-0 record (0-12 in league play), the Eagles too had their moments and were in many of the games more than scores would indicate.

No matter the end result, all three schools had players worthy of spots on the All-Kitsap County Boys Soccer Team.

The All-Kitsap County teams are compiled by the sports writers for the Bainbridge Island Review, the Bremerton Patriot, the Central Kitsap Reporter, the North Kitsap Herald and the Port Orchard Independent. Candidates for the team are nominated by the writers for their respective areas. The nominees are then voted on by the writers, with the top vote-getters making the teams. Two honorable mentions are selected from each school for each sport. The teams include the best players from area schools who not only performed well individually, but played a role in the success of their team as well.

Below is the All-Kitsap County Boys Soccer Team. The AKC softball and baseball teams will follow.

2008 All-Kitsap County Boys Soccer Team

F – Francisco Garcia, senior, Bremerton: Simply put Garcia was a scoring machine. Tallying 17 goals, along with six assists, Garcia led the Olympic League in scoring as well as overall points (40). Lightning fast and a magician with the ball, Garcia punished nearly every team he faced, overcoming occasional double- and triple-team coverage to put points on the board.

F – Cody Clark, senior, Olympic: Clark is one graduating senior the Trojans will surely miss. A true goal scorer, Clark notched 11 goals and dished out three assists for 25 total points. The St. Martin’s University-bound Clark was one of the most prolific scorers in the county, putting up 49 goals during his four years, missing several games across that span due to injuries.

F – John Troka, senior, Kingston: Troka is a player who owns the field whenever he’s on it. He plays everywhere, defense and offense. He was the Buccaneers go-to man in a sticky situation, nailing the game-winning goal in the Bucs’ first state playoff game.

F – Justin Moore, junior, South Kitsap: Moore became the first junior captain in Eric Bergeson’s 11-year

tenure as coach at South and was the Wolves’ leading scorer. He scored 12 goals and added four assists this season.

“He may have been the best captain we’ve had,” Bergeson said. “He’s a workhorse.”

MF – Darryn Reinertson, senior, Klahowya: While Reinertson led the Eagles with five goals and an assist, he accounted for about half of the team’s total goals (11). With a stronger supporting cast, Reinertson could easily have been in double-digits.

MF – Sam Mouser, senior, North Kitsap: Mouser led the Vikings in game-winning goals and was the No. 2 overall goal-scorer on the team with seven. He’s the ninth-best scorer for both the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas, pairing his seven goals with six assists for 20 points.

MF – Kane Williams, senior, Central Kitsap: Williams was as versatile as they come for the Cougars, shifting regularly between forward and the midfield, even dropping back to defense some during the postseason. Williams was CK’s most well-rounded player, scoring a team-best six goals to go with five assists.

D – Pat Triggs, junior, Central Kitsap: Triggs was a big reason CK nearly advanced back to the district tournament, as the junior could mark just about any opposing offensive threat. He’ll be a key returner to a CK team losing some valuable seniors.

D – John Baggett, senior, Bainbridge: When you’re named the MVP of the league, it’s pretty obvious you can play defense. That honor was bestowed upon this senior co-captain and it was earned: His heady play in the back kept opponents off balance as he cleared balls out and marked up against the best in the league, keeping opponents from dominating the game. With his help, the Bainbridge defense allowed just 17 goals in 19 games – an average of less than a goal a game – and posted eight shutouts.

D – Bryan Heath, senior, South Kitsap: Bergeson likes to build his team around its defenders and the Wolves were strong again back there with Heath and Jesse Askew.

“Bryan Heath is the most impressive player mentally and physically that I’ve coached,” Bergeson said.

GK – Devin Langaker, senior, Kingston: Langaker is a goalie who can carry a team. During the Bucs run for a state title and all throughout the season, Langaker was there for the key save. He helped the Buccaneers tally 10 shutout games and ensured only .55 goals per game were scored against Kingston.

Coach of the Year – George Vukic, Bainbridge: He lost his best player to Crossfire Academy, the premier select soccer program in the state two games into the season, putting a supposed damper on the team’s playoff chances.

Instead, he regrouped the team, spread the attack out and guided the Spartans to an almost undefeated regular season, a Metro League Mountain Division title (the first in school history), and their first state appearance since 2001. He was named the league coach of the year.

Honorable mention

Max Aussendorf, Bainbridge, senior, MF – This senior used his fleet feet to put some sweet moves on opposing defenders, dribbling the ball past on his way to the goal. He scored four times and assisted on another as he helped Bainbridge to a division title and make it to state for the first time since 2001.

Josh “JJ” Gilson, Kingston, senior, F – Gilson was the third-highest scorer for the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas with nine goals and nine assists for 27 points. He accomplished all this in just 10 league games.

Nate May, North Kitsap, junior, GK – One of the top keepers in the Narrows League, May had an outstanding season, as his save ratio was 3-to-1. A junior, he’ll be back to help North make another run.

Derek Conway-Newton, Olympic, senior, MF – Oly’s field general, Conway-Newton was one of the top physical presences in the Olympic League. Another versatile player, the Trojan senior also could go back on defense when the situation called for it.

Grant Rico, Central Kitsap, junior, GK – Rico was stalwart between the posts for the Cougars, logging every minute in the goal this season. Rico registered five shutouts and was key in a shoot-out win against Foss to advance CK into the Narrows League tourney.

Tucker Moran, Klahowya, senior, MF – A co-captain alongside Reinertson, Moran too was a key player in helping the Eagles stay in the close games, often times switching to defense as well. Moran is another player known for his tough physical presence.

Ritchie Danskin, Bremerton, senior, MF – A team captain, Danskin logged serious minutes in the middle-third of the field. He created opportunities for teammates, often shadowed the opponents’ major offensive threats and offered field leadership. While Danskin didn’t light up the scoreboard, his experience and gamesmanship gave the Knights a major boost.

Brian Paulsen, King’s West, senior, F – Paulsen might have taken the field for the final time in November, but his contributions still garner mention on the All-Kitsap County team. The Warriors’ leading goal scorer, also taking top honors in the SeaTac League. He helped carry KW to a 10-5-1 record and within a win of state.

Jesse Askew, South Kitsap, junior, D – Askew was one of the primary reasons the Wolves never allowed more than two goals in a match this season. He earned praise from Bergeson for his toughness.

Dana Olson, Bainbridge, senior, MF – This senior was another threat to score or make the pass to find a teammate for the score. He had two goals and an assist as he helped Bainbridge stay undefeated for most of the regular season.

Chris Hall, Kingston, senior, MF – Hall is an all-around athlete and academic star. The team captain stepped up in postseason play, scoring the winning goal in the district championship. Hall scored six goals and four assists this season making him one of the region’s top 25 scorers.

Jake Pedersen, North Kitsap, senior, MF – Pedersen was a key cog in the North Kitsap midfield. He led the Vikings in assists with 12.

Thomas Bryan, Olympic, sophomore, GK – Despite being just a sophomore, Bryan was the main reason Olympic repeated as the top 3A team in the Olympic League, coach Steve Haggerty said. “(We) would not have been anywhere near the top without his performance in goal.”

Colin Barry, Central Kitsap, senior, D – Barry was another key cog in a tough Cougar defense that held opponents to just more than a goal a game. Another physical player, he’ll be one of several key graduating seniors for CK.

John McLaughlin, Klahowya, junior, D – Another of Kitsap’s tough defenders, McLaughlin was a vocal leader for the Eagles as well, joining two seniors as a co-captain. He’ll be back as the Eagles’ undisputed leader next season.

Matt Olson, Bremerton, sophomore, MF – One of the Knights’ field generals, Olson finished second on the team to Garcia in goals, assists and total points. In 11 games he scored five goals and dished out six assists, good for 16 total points. Olson will return as a junior next season, looking to build on his ’07 numbers. 

Tim Flugstad, King’s West, senior, MF – Another versatile weapon, Flugstad could control the middle of the field or drop back on defense to squelch a threat. His example is one that should reverberate throughout a large returning core at KW.

Nico de la Cruz, South Kitsap, sophomore, MF – On a senior-laden squad, de la Cruz was one of the few significant contributors as an underclassman. He scored one goal and added five assists this season.

“Nico stands out with a really high soccer IQ,” Bergeson said. “Nobody has better feet in our program.”

Ashy Carlson, North Kitsap, junior, F – A true team asset, Carlson led his team in goals with nine and is the region’s 11th best scorer, adding one assist for 19 points.

Daniel Lathrop, South Kitsap, junior, GK – Recorded seven shutouts this season, but that number could’ve been higher. Instead, Lathrop vacated the position at times to allow senior Greg Dobb an opportunity to play.

“He’s cat-like quick,” Bergeson said. “He’s a good student, responsible, young and is selfless.”