Orcas graduate and six-year Coach Matt Stolmeier and assistant coach Terry Turner are very excited about this season.

Stolmeier is thrilled with the depth of the team’s talent.

“This year we have 22 boys turning out for soccer and our talent pool has been consistently increasing,” he said. “This is mostly due to the growth of the island youth soccer programs, which have become a great feeder program for the high school team.  We are down four players from 2011 due to graduation, exchange students and transfers, but we have gained freshman talent and have many returning experienced players.”

Stolmeier said they have struggled in past year, but he feels this year is a “turning point.”

“I have seen increased self motivation and the team cohesiveness seems to be at an all-time high,” he said. “Many of our veteran players see the potential in our young players and it is an exciting time for the boy’s program. Returning seniors Chase Drake, Rhys Thompson, Aidan McCormick and Ryan Ivans have the passion to steer this team in the right direction. That combined with returning All League players Caleb Dean and Jack Russillo as well as several other younger talented players, I think we’ll make a strong showing in the league. The Vikings were ranked as the second strongest midfield squad in the West just behind last years’ state runners up … and all of our midfield is returning.”

For 2102 the league has been adjusted to eight teams in Division 1 with only the top five teams heading to Bi Districts, which should make a fairly evenly match league. Stolmeier anticipates the challenge.