POULSBO — The North Kitsap Vikings girls soccer team is currently the top-ranked 2A team in the Olympic League. Whether that stays true depends on how the Klahowya Eagles handles the Bremerton Knights tonight.

The Knights lead the League undefeated (5-0) with 16 points. The Vikings rank second, 4-1, with 13 points and the Eagles third, 4-1, with 12 points.

If the Knights win, they will all but secure the League title. However, a Knights win will also mean the Vikings will have the top seed into the playoffs from 2A schools; Bremerton is a 3A school.

“We actually have to hope Bremerton wins,” Vikings head coach Chris May said.

A top seed for the Vikings would mean better placement in the playoffs, where the Vikings would be fighting for top seeding in the 2A Girls Soccer State Championships. The sub-district playoffs are Nov. 2. District playoffs are Nov. 5. The State Championship begins Nov. 9 at Shoreline Stadium in Seattle.

In order to be successful in the postseason, Vikings midfielder Lindsey Foster said the team needs to take earlier shots on goal. Foster, a senior, has played on the team for four years. Because of an injury, she is no longer playing, but still has insight into the team.

Besides taking earlier shots on goal, Foster said the team needs to work on its crossing game. Earlier in the season, she said the team was struggling with formations, but she believes that is “starting to click now.”

Though May said everyone has done her part, players such as Becca Cates, Ashley Cole and Naomi Morgan have stepped up.

Cole, who did not score much in the beginning of the season, took the reins in the last few games, May said. Cole scored the winning goal against Kingston and a couple goals before that, which May felt kickstarted the team.

Cates, a cross-country runner and club soccer player, joined the Vikings team for the first time this season. She has worked well with everyone and handling different positions on the field, May said.

As for Morgan, “She’s just a rock in the center defense,” May said.

Between Morgan and Rachel Fisk, the Vikings’ have not worried about being scored on too often. This includes Morgan’s “uncanny ability” to know when to make a move for the ball and Fisk starting attacks, May said.

Though the Vikings’ current league rank will depend on tonight’s game between the Knights and Eagles, the team will not have a chance to play again until Thursday, when it travels to Port Townsend.

OLYMPIC LEAGUE STANDINGS
Bremerton 5-0-1
North Kitsap 4-1-1
Klahowya 4-1-0
Port Angeles 2-1-2
Kingston 2-3-1
Olympic 1-2-3
Port Townsend 2-4-0
Sequim 1-4-0
North Mason 0-4-0