POULSBO — The North Kitsap High School boys’ soccer team has a lot to look forward to this year: a new league, a new defense, and a crop of new players.

The team is looking for some new results as well.

The Vikings went 4-12 last year, but head coach Chris Heins is excited about the team’s potential in 2002.

There’s enough speed on the defense to install a flat-four defense, and Heins thinks the mixture of players who have tried out will make this a season to remember for the Vikings.

On the first day of practice, Heins was greeted by the sight of 62 players vying for 36 spots.

“We’ve had close to 50 (try out), but this is the biggest year ever. We’ve got an even mix of every grade,” Heins said.

While there are several underclassman in the mix, Heins will depend on several returning players who were the glue of last year’s team and kept the Vikings competitive in most games.

Returning players include Shane Morrison, Bryan Kulp, Oscar Hernandez, Rory Kenyon, Sean Heins, Colton Bangs, Marcus Quesbert, Bryce Darrow, and Gus Zadra, whose broken wrist last year seemed to trigger an avalanche of injuries that left the Vikings short on depth.

Justin Muller and Brendan Phillips will stalk the penalty box for North Kitsap.

Zadra, who has been bothered by injuries above and beyond last year’ wrist, just looks forward to getting back on the field.

He thinks the Vikings could surprise in their new home, the Narrows League.

So far, he said the team has been putting in the right amount of sweat.

“Everyone’s really dedicated,” Zadra said. “I’ve never run so much in soccer. But no one’s quit. Everyone’s passionate about playing.”

Zadra also thinks the glut of young players will contribute to the team’s success.

“There are so many young players,” he said, surveying the field as his teammates dribbled soccer balls up and down in. “They’re pushing us older guys.”

Teammate Shane Morrison is also happy about the season, which will begin March 13 on the road against Port Townsend.

“Compared to last year, we’re better,” Morrison said. “Our defense is a lot stronger.”

Morrison and coach Heins both noted that many of the players, including Kulp, Kenyon, and Rusty Grable, have played together on club and recreation teams, along with newcomer John Jones.

That familiarity, and a newfound aggressiveness, will help the team win.

“We’ve going to be aggressive. We’re going to be an attacking team,” said Morrison.

Before he trotted back onto the field, the player made one more point that referred back to last year: “If we stay healthy, we should have a great year,” he said.