POULSBO — One soccer program at North Kitsap High School was just not enough for Pat Stickney.

The veteran coach, who has already about-faced the Vikings’ boys program from almost winless to playoff bound in a two-year span, replaced retiring girls coach Teri Ishihara in the off-season.

Stickney’s job this fall with the girls, however, will be a challenge equal to his task with the boys spring program: rebuild a team that lost eight seniors from a 17-member squad.

And it wasn’t just any senior class: gone from last year is Narrows’ premier scoring threat Megan Hyte, defensive specialist Kelli Gillespie, along with talents Kim Skelly, Emily Danford, Jessica Jensen, Lindsay O’Neil-Dewing, Rachel Parcells, and goalkeeper Kamryn Morgan.

“It’s a completely new team this year,” said senior and team co-captain, Kari Shawcroft. “We’re doing a lot of rebuilding.”

Shawcroft, who didn’t play a year ago, is back for her senior season and is leading the team with fellow senior Amber Grable. The pair, along with Stickney, is working to bring this seemingly unfamiliar team together in time for its first game versus Bainbridge Tuesday. But each are confident of the team’s ability to unite.

“There’s a lot of talent,” Shawcroft said. “It’s just a matter of getting used to playing together.”

Varsity experience was also gained for players like Grable and fellow sophomores Stephanie Skelly and Brenna Lander. They contributed on a team that posted a 7-4-3 league record, had ties with South Kitsap and Narrows champs Gig Harbor, and lost 2-1 in the playoffs to Stadium, a squad that made it to the final four of state.

Stickney will be looking to build the programs from the ground up, starting with the junior varsity. However, that shouldn’t take away from this year, especially for the seniors as they embark on their last season in the purple and gold.

“One thing’s for sure, they’ll be playing a quality game,” he said. “I want them all to feel a part of something that’s going to grow.”

The coach is tweaking the Vikings’ on-field strategy as well. The coach favors short-sized passing and finesse-type soccer to build momentum in a game. The players this year said they’ve liked his style, as well as his personable coaching technique.

“His style is completely different,” Grable said. “Pat likes a very controlled, quick-pass type of game.”

“He’s very upfront about what he expects,” added sophomore Stephanie Skelly. “He’ll stop play, and always show us what he’s looking for.”

Regardless of the record, Stickney said, the most important aspect this year will be to play cohesive soccer.

“This is a really attentive group that’s willing to step up,” Stickney said. “Win, lose or draw, I’ll be happy.”