By Kitsap News Group Sports Writers
Despite being double-teamed by his opponents for much of the 2007 season, sophomore Zach Sampson had a team-high 9 goals and 5 assists for the North Kitsap Vikings soccer squad. The future does indeed look bright for this sophomore sensation.
The North Kitsap Vikings boys soccer team possessed one of the best defenses in the Narrows League. It was a major reason why the squad finished with an overall record of 10-6-3 in 2007.
The defense, led by sophomore goalie Devin Langaker and defender Sam Mouser allowed an average of only one goal per contest this year.
“Our defense did a great job. We were in pretty much every game we played because we did a great job of stopping opposing teams from scoring,” Vikings coach Chris May said. “Stopping your opponent is more important than scoring, and if you’re able to play good defense, you will be in every game.”
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 that not only performed well individually, but played a role in the success of their team as well.
2007 All-Kitsap
County Boys Soccer Team
F – Francisco Garcia, Bremerton – Garcia led the Knights in scoring this season, finding the back of the net 12 times and adding 4 assists.
“Total energy,” is the way coach Lyle Miller describes him. “He never gives up. There’s no quit in that kid.”
Garcia also seems to have a nose for the ball, finding opportunities in front of the net. “He’s one smart shooter,” Miller adds. “He doesn’t try to kick the ball 100 miles an hour all the time. More often than not, it was his finesse that gets it in the net.”
F – Zach Sampson, North Kitsap – Sampson’s blazing speed at the Vikings right forward position put a considerable amount of pressure on every left defender in the Narrows League. Despite being double teamed most games, Sampson finished with a team-high 9 goals and 5 assists for North.
F – Cody Clark, Olympic – In his junior season, Clark shook off last year’s health woes en route to a team-best 17 goals. Clark’s speed made him an offensive asset for the Trojans, helping lead the team back into the postseason before bowing out at districts. But Clark was more than just a scorer, dishing out 6 assists on the season.
MF – Kyle Schoales, South Kitsap – Schoales scored a team-high eight goals and added four assists to help the Wolves finish second in the Narrows League. Schoales was steady on both sides of the field, as the Wolves only were shutout once in league play.
MF – David Meherg, Olympic – A senior, Meherg helped lead Oly to the brink of the Olympic League title, finishing just a half-game back of Peninsula. Meherg had a great offensive game in the middle, scoring 11 goals with 4 assists, but was also a stalwart defender, never afraid to use his size to make a challenge.
MF – Lee Pendt, Central Kitsap – Pendt was again among CK’s scoring leaders yet again this season, helping lead the team to the Narrows League tournament before a shootout ended their season a game shy of districts. Pendt will be back to help the Cougars try to make the push back into the postseason.
MF – Donald Rollman, Bremerton – Rollman was the leader in assists for Bremerton, aiding on 7 goals, but he also punched in 6 on his own.
“He plays with a lot of maturity,” coach Lyle Miller said. “He has a lot of touch on the ball.”
Rollman was something of a surprise for the Knights returning to the soccer team after playing baseball last year.
“I was glad to have him back,” Miller said. “I think he was surprised by how much he’d matured as a player.”
D – Alex May, South Kitsap – Regarded as the team’s best defender by coach Eric Bergeson, May helped South keep scores low. The Wolves allowed more than two goals in a match just once in the regular season and also shutout three opponents.
D – Derek Conway-Newton, Olympic – Conway-Newton was the glue that held Olympic’s defense together, never afraid to mark up with a potentially faster or more athletic forward. In addition, he still managed to score twice with an assist. Only a sophomore this season, Conway-Newton should continue to lead the Trojans next season.
D – Colin Barry, Central Kitsap – Barry was another strong presence on the field for CK, often shutting down opponents’ attacks but also turning them into opportunities for the Cougar offense. Barry, a junior like Pendt, should help CK continue to grow as the Cougs lose just four seniors.
GK – Alex Boldt, Bainbridge – This senior was at the forefront of a resurgent Spartan soccer team, guiding the defense and making big stops when needed. He registered four shutouts on the year against the top competition in the Metro League as Bainbridge finished third in the Metro League tournament.
Coach of the year – Steve Haggerty, Olympic – In the team’s first year in the Olympic League, the Trojans only ran into one problem: Peninsula. Had it not been for Oly’s two losses to the Seahawks, the Trojans would have been undefeated in league play, and as always, the tenured Oly coach Steve Haggerty played a key part in that success. Also the girls coach, Haggerty helped that squad to an undefeated league title. But next year could try Haggerty’s abilities even more, as the Trojans graduate nine from this season’s boys team.
Honorable mention
MF – Dylan Tucker-Ganges, Bainbridge
GK – Devin Langaker, North Kitsap – The steady junior had three shutouts in the always competitive Narrows League. Langaker’s lanky arms and quick reflexes were responsible for countless deflections and saves throughout the year in the goal box for North.
MF – Kevin Anglada, Olympic
MF – Chase Park, Central Kitsap
F – Darryn Reinertson, Klahowya
D – David Skeels, King’s West
F – Justin Fellis, Bremerton
MF – Bryan Everson, South Kitsap
D – Max Aussendorf, Bainbridge
D – Sam Mouser, North Kitsap – Despite being one of the Vikings’ best defensive players, Mouser also scored two goals and finished with three assists. Mouser’s extensive knowledge and natural instincts on the field served North well in the defensive backfield.
MF – Arturo Urquieta, Olympic
GK – Zach Pendt, Central Kitsap
MF – Pedro Cerquiera, Klahowya
GK – Doug Hein, King’s West
D – Richie Danskin, Bremerton
