North Kitsap boys soccer team streaking as it chases a state championship

POULSBO -- North Kitsap boys soccer team experienced its best season in program history in 2023, using a 19-game winning streak to reach the Class 2A state title game. The Vikings' impressive run came to a close with a 4-2 defeat against top-ranked Columbia River.

Don't look now, but the Vikings are streaking again.

Hosting Olympic League rival Bainbridge on Thursday, North Kitsap prevailed in a shootout when senior goalkeeper Justin Anderson made two saves and junior midfielder Hunter Sabari buried the clinching kick. Regulation and overtime featured no goals, although the Vikings hit the crossbar twice and the Spartans hit it once.

"It was a great game, back and forth," Anderson said.

Kicking off this season with a 2-1 win over defending 4A champion Skyline, North Kitsap will go into next week's schedule with a 9-0 overall mark and 8-0 record in league play. Despite graduating a few key performers off last year's squad, Vikings head coach Greg St. Peter said this spring indeed feels like a continuation of the team's 2023 campaign, which saw North Kitsap win the league title and finish 19-2-1.

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"It feels like in a lot of ways, we're a little better — when we're clicking," St Peter said.

Losing to North Kitsap 3-1 last month, Bainbridge (6-3, 6-2 in league) made life difficult for the Vikings in Thursday's rematch. There were few chances either way before Spartans junior Finn Reynolds one-timed a shot off the crossbar in the 52nd minute.

In the game's later stages, the center referee initially awarded North Kitsap a penalty kick in the 72nd minute following a defensive challenge against North Kitsap junior Aaron Lopez. Yet after the center referee conferred with one of his assistant referees, it was determined that no foul was committed. St. Peter had no issues with the call being reversed.

"I have to give a lot of credit to the referees this season," St. Peter said. They've been great."

North Kitsap had other chances to take a 1-0 lead late, hitting the crossbar on a header in the 73rd minute and against in the 80th minute on a strike by Lopez.

In the shootout, Anderson saved Bainbridge's first attempt by Christopher Fowler with a dive to his left. He also saved Bainbridge's fourth attempt with a smothering dive to his right against Howard Howlett.

"There's no pressure on me, all pressure is on the shooter," Anderson said. "It's about making the right decision the right way to get a hand on it."

North Kitsap converted three of its first four attempts against Bainbridge goalkeeper Bobby Coulter, who made a save against the Vikings' Sebastian Moran. With a chance to secure victory, Sabari calmly beat Coulter inside the right post.

Nine games, nine victories so far this spring for the Vikings.

"It's good to face a little adversity," said St. Peter, whose team has outscored opponents by a combined margin of 46-5.

Anderson, who split time starting in goal as a junior, said he hopes there are plenty of victories ahead for North Kitsap, noting that the 2023 season "was a good run, but I just want to look on this season. Last year was last year. Just work hard and try to get it done this year."

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: North Kitsap boys soccer building on momentum of 2023 title-game run