POULSBO — If the North Kitsap Vikings can play against their opponents as efficiently and enthusiastically as they do each other, 2003 may be a successful year in the Narrows League.
At Thursday’s practice, head coach Teri Ishihara watched as her varsity players held a mini-scrimmage, six players on six.
Megan Hyte, who hovered among the league leaders with 15 regular-season goals last season, knocked in shot after shot, causing Ishihara to remark later, “I don’t think she missed anything she shot.”
But an equally impressive moment may have come after Ishihara ended the scrimmage and several players pleaded for practice to continue, despite the hot, late-summer sun above.
Players and coach say that if the Vikings can show both the talent and the attitude that they have displayed so far in practice, the year will be a good one.
“I think we’re going to be awesome. We have so much heart,” said Rosie Zadra, last year’s second-leading scorer and one of the team’s two seniors.
The team is a young one, with three freshman — Sarah Stephenson, Kayla Collins and Brenna Lander — expected to play significant roles.
Much of the opponents’ attention will be on the junior Hyte, however. A high-scoring forward for both the Vikings and her club team, she will be expected to be a key part of the offense.
“I hope she’ll punish other teams like she did my defense today,” Ishihara said on Thursday.
Hyte will be joined by quick offensive teammates who so far have shown a talent for passing and scoring.
Among them are the speedy Zadra and the freshman Collins and Lander, who to date have shown talent for hitting goals from impressive distances.
“We have a skilled, quick offensive team,” said Hyte.
The defense, which lost only one starter (Allie Gillespie, to graduation) will return, anchored by veterans like All-Narrows League Bridge Division selection Kelli Gillespie and junior defender Kim Skelly.
Kamryn Morgan will be the keeper.
Morgan has worked with a goalkeeping coach this summer and has impressed Ishihara with her improvement and work ethic.
Lisa Gilbert, the team’s other senior, will also play an important role.
The team has flashed talent, but Ishihara cautions that its youth will be tested once the season begins on Tuesday.
“Basically, it’s a new team. Most of them I haven’t even seen play before,” she said, then added later, “They’re young. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”
But it’s what could happen this year,and what could happen further down the line that has the players excited.
After observing the team’s young talent during practice, Gillespie said, “We have a lot of talent. If they keep working, by the time they’re seniors they’ll be awesome.”
