SILVERDALE — The field? Their opponents? The game time?

For whatever reason, the North Kitsap soccer team just couldn’t get its collective motor running in time for its first round playoff against Olympia Saturday, succumbing to the Bears by a 2-0 score.

The loss was a season ending one, bouncing the Vikings from its first playoff appearance in many years.

Despite making the postseason, North Kitsap coach Pat Stickney was surprised his squad had trouble building any semblance of momentum, especially during the first half.

“We came out really flat,” Stickney said. “For the first 20 to 30 minutes, we were sleepwalking.

“It was apparent in every position,” Stickney added. “Is 11:30 (a.m.) too early for them?”

The second half saw improved chances for the Vikings, but a strong wind against the goal combined with a solid Olympia defense didn’t let much even touch the outside of the net, let alone get inside it.

The Vikings finish the season at 9-7-1 overall and 7-6-1 in league. Since Stickney arrived as coach two years ago, the team has been above .500 for both seasons and also qualified this year for the Narrows playoffs.

“I was just glad to be here, playing,” said senior Marc Anderson in his first postseason appearance. “We finally made it to the postseason. Getting here was step one. Next year, they’ll go farther.”

Anderson, this year’s team captain for the Vikings, will be playing for Olympic College next year.

“We played our game,” Anderson said. “But it just wasn’t quite enough.”

A positive that came out of the loss was that it gave Stickney a chance to use some of his junior varsity players, namely North’s James May, Kevin Joines, Sam Mouser and Seth Dougherty. Though he hasn’t yet signed a contract for next season as coach, Stickney said he sees those and all returning players having a bright future in purple and gold — and wants to be a part of it.

“If the position is offered, I’ll probably be back next year,” Stickney said. “This is a good group. And I think it’s going to just get better.”

There’s one other area of the game that Stickney said he’s glad to have helped with in the past two years — sportsmanship.

“We went from being one of the heaviest red-carded teams in the league to one of the least,” he said. “I’m pleased about that as much as I am about the nine wins this season.”

“This isn’t the last time we’re gonna be in post-season play,” Stickney added. “This is only the beginning.”