Kingco Conference Boys Soccer Capsules

Bellevue Wolverines

1994 record - 3-7-2, eight points, in KingCo (10th); 3-9-2 overall.

Head coach - Paul Meehan, sixth year.

Top returning players - MF Steven Preikschat, sr.; D Ernie Burgess, sr.; D David Bassett, sr.; MF Mike Romney, sr.; D Nick Barrett, so.; F Tristan Springmeyer, jr.; GK Joe Czech, so.; MF Tomo Hombo, sr.

Key newcomers - MF Naoto Kamei, jr.; MF Dane Springmeyer, fr.

Outlook - Preikschat was all-KingCo first-teamer as junior. Most starters return. But in tough KingCo, road to sixth (and final) playoff berth will be treacherous.

Bothell Cougars

1994 record - 8-1-3, 19 points, in KingCo (second); 10-3-3 overall (eliminated in first round of AAA state playoffs by Mountain View).

Head coach - Gina Cassella, second year (10-3-3).

Top returning players - D Frank Lopez, sr.; F Matt Shaffer, sr.; MF Doug Waugh, sr.; D/GK Chris Wood, sr.; MF Orlando Cano, sr.; D Ray McLaughlin, sr.; GK Chris Flotten, jr.

Key newcomers - F Doug Nathe, sr.; MF Kevin Aber, sr.; D Lucas Hayes, jr.; MF Kris Sorenson.

Outlook - Two all-KingCo first-teamers (Lopez, Shaffer), a second-teamer (Flotten) and an honorable mention (Wood) return for another Cougar playoff run. Graduation loss of Geoff Martin (SPU) took 19 goals from offense, but Cougs still one of KingCo's two or three most likely title-game participants.

Eastlake Wolves

1994 record - 5-5-1, 11 points, in KingCo (tied for eighth); 5-6-1 overall.

Head coach - Jon Matsushita, second year (5-6-1).

Top returning players - MF Michael Ginsburg, sr.; F Rhys Lucero, sr.; D Corey Boudreau, jr.; D Michael Casale, so.; MF Sean Sylvis, so.; D Marcus Byeman, so.; D Joey Duenn, so.

Key newcomers - MF Pete Gonzales, so.; F Josh Bieler, so.

Outlook - Wolves start six sophomores and three juniors, but every starter returns from program's inaugural season, and 14 Wolves are part of state Olympic Development Pool. Some say Eastlake is KingCo favorite. Consider it part of tournament field.

Inglemoor Vikings

1994 record - 8-3-1, 17 points, in KingCo (third); 10-4-2 overall (eliminated in KingCo playoffs).

Head coach - Jason Smith, first year.

Top returning players - MF/F Ben Bradey, jr.; MF Jeff Dooley, jr.; MF/F Jason Etscheid, jr.; F Ryan Hamilton, jr.; F Jon Pilz, jr.; GK Travis Thompson, jr.; D Ryan Grekowicz, sr.; D David McKenna, sr.; MF Michael Moody, sr.

Key newcomers - D Josh Bayles, so.; GK Anton Jackson, so.; MF Adam Heck, jr.

Outlook - Vikings return two of top three scorers in Etscheid and Pilz. Despite first-year system, should return to playoffs.

Interlake Saints

1994 record - 2-8-2, six points, in KingCo (11th); 3-9-2 overall.

Head coach - John Olver, 14th year.

Top returning players - D Andrew Heidergott, sr.; MF Jon Ryan, sr.; MF Scott Greco, sr.; D Ben Ludlow, sr.; F Danny Roy, so.; MF Joe Dries, so.; D Bryan Hulen, so.

Key newcomers - D Erik Hane, jr.; F Chai Chang, so.; MF Derek Bentsen, so.; D Raben Malubay, so.; GK/F David Osterbeck, jr.; GK/MF Andrew Osterbeck, jr.

Outlook - Strong Saints defense is led by keeper position so deep that last year's starter, Ryan, was able to move to midfield to make room for transfer twins Osterbecks (Eastside Catholic). If team can score goals, might be at least spoiler, maybe even playoff qualifier.

Issaquah Indians

1994 record - 1-10-0, two points, in KingCo (12th); 2-12-0 overall.

Head coach - Sam Maccarrone, first year.

Top returning players - GK Matt Thompson, so.; D Kelly Karanen, so.; D Nick Scott, so.; D Matt Harris, jr.; D Brian Handsaker, jr.; MF Kevin Castleman, sr.; MF Trevor Brenden, sr.

Key newcomers - D Ryan Banashak, fr.; MF James Dowd, fr.; F Dustin Raineiri, fr.; MF Connor Farley, so.; F Brian Hinkle, so.

Outlook - Young team rebuilding this season. Strong freshman and sophomore classes should make Issaquah competitive in next few years.

Juanita Rebels

1994 record - 0-12-0 in KingCo (13th); 1-13-0 overall.

Head coach - Mark Kovats, first year.

Top returning players - F Flavio Bainotti, sr.; F Ryan Kearney, sr.; MF Kevin Maki, so.; MF Pat O'Neill, so.; GK Hiroomi Miyamoto, jr.; D Joey Dominick, sr.; D Ryan Cross, jr.; D David Doss, jr.

Key newcomers - D Mike Russell, jr.; MF Joel Mangum, so.; MF Blake Kirstine, sr.

Outlook - First-year coach trying to rebuild in tough league. Rebels were shut out six times and held to one goal six more times last season, and offense still needs work. Could make playoffs if experienced defense plays big.

Lake Washington Kangaroos

1994 record - 4-5-3, 11 points, in KingCo (tied for eighth); 4-6-3 overall.

Head coach - Fred Mabbott, 18th year.

Top returning players - GK David Hall, sr.; GK Livingston Chaffee, sr.; D Ken Goodrich, jr.; MF Shawn Butler, jr.; MF Scott Richards, jr.; MF Jon Yamauchi, so.; MF Brandon Jason, so.; F Rod Smith, jr.

Key newcomers - F Shao Kui Fu, jr.; F Nick Oszlewski, so.; F Jason Corkrey, jr.; MF Garrett Hurley, so.; D Nick Gustin, fr.; D Matt Bronaugh, sr.; D Nate Stromberg, jr.; D Cody Johnson, jr.; F Dana Vukonich, sr.; MF Paul Chamberlain, fr.

Outlook - Fast, skilled - but inexperienced - frontline players join experienced midfield and backfield in what should be playoff season for Kangaroos, who missed postseason by one point last year.

Mercer Island Islanders

1994 record - 7-4-1, 15 points, in KingCo (tied for fifth); 7-5-2 overall (eliminated in KingCo playoffs).

Head coach - Frank Ceteznik, fourth year (14-16-12).

Top returning players - F Josh Heyum, sr.; F Michael Clarfeld, sr.; MF Owen Pochman, sr.; D Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson, sr.; D Michael Fallquist, sr.; MF Bryan Odegard, jr.; D Brad Farmer, jr.

Key newcomers - GK John Goldwater, sr.; MF Jeff Pugsley, jr.; F Trevor Howard, jr.; GK Mike Backes, jr.; D Dan Klein, so.; MF Mike Azose, so.; Mark Thibedau, sr.; D Kirk Robinson, sr.; D Kevin Eng, sr.; MF Nate Jones, jr.; F Aaron Penski, so.

Outlook - Pochman might be league's top midfielder, and returning with him are talented forwards Heyum and Clarfeld. Three starting defenders also return for playoff-contender Islanders.

Newport Knights

1994 record - 10-0-2, 22 points, in KingCo (first); 13-2-3 overall (won KingCo title game; eliminated first round of AAA state playoffs after tiebreaker shootout against eventual-champion Jefferson).

Head coach - Paul Mendes, 13th year.

Top returning players - D Parker Benthin, so.; MF Brian Britton-Simmons, sr.; F Jake Christoferson, jr.; MF Dereck Clark, jr.; MF/D Steve Dagg, sr.; F/MF Steve Funk, jr.; GK David Green, jr.; D Craig Hawley, sr.; MF Bert Klasey, sr.; F Chun La, sr.; F Minh Phung, sr.; F/MF Willy Rastetter, sr.

Key newcomers - D Tareq Abu-Rish, sr.; F/MF Alex Carter, so.; MF/D Chip Faulmann, sr.; GK Craig Heeter, jr.; F/MF Ryan Jacobsen, jr.; D David Klann, sr.; D Butch Pellant, fr.; MF Jeff Rines, jr.

Outlook - Knights have strongest attack in KingCo with return of Britton-Simmons (10 goals in regular-season), Phung (10), Rastetter (six), Christoferson (five) and La (speedy football halfback who joined varsity late last season). Team has won five of past six KingCo titles. Make it six of seven.

Redmond Mustangs

1994 record - 4-4-4, 12 points, in KingCo (seventh); 5-5-4 overall.

Head coach - Mike Washington, fifth year.

Top returning players - MF Mark Flanders, sr.; F Chad Mueller, sr.; F Ryan Fitzpatrick, sr.; MF Matt Lund, so.; GK Shane Ness, jr.; D Steve Wolbrecth, sr.; D Ryan Fleming, sr.; D Mark Matson, sr.

Key newcomers - MF Paul Cullin, jr.

Outlook - Flanders, Mueller and Fitzpatrick are fourth-year starters and have enough talent around them to lead Redmond to playoffs. Darkhorse for state berth but stranger things have happened in wacky KingCo.

Sammamish Totems

1994 record - 7-4-1, 15 points, in KingCo (tied for fifth); 11-6-1 overall (eliminated by Oak Harbor in tiebreaker shootout of winner-to-state game).

Head coach - Michael Smith, eighth year.

Top returning players - F Jeff Argudo, sr.; F Cory Little, sr.; D Enrique Resendez, sr.; MF Hajime Tsuzuki, sr.; MF Josh Turpen, sr.; MF Eduardo Resendez, sr.; D Ryan Dixey, sr.; D Daniel Arroyo, jr.; GK J.R. Merritt, jr.

Key newcomers - F/MF Mohammed Harruna, fr.; D/MF Mark Csepreghy, sr.

Outlook - Totems have five second-team or honorable mention all-KingCo picks spread from forward (Argudo, Little) to defender (Enrique Resendez). Has experience and talent to get to KingCo title game.

Woodinville Falcons

1994 record - 7-3-2, 16 points, in KingCo (fourth); 8-4-3 overall (eliminated in KingCo playoffs).

Head coach - Sully Hester, 12th year.

Top returning players - F Andy Devine, sr.; MF Jeff Barry, sr.; MF Ben Shepherd, sr.; MF Scott Savage, jr.; MF Aaron Bruce, sr.; D Morgan McCoy, sr.; D Mark Collings, sr.; D Dave Allen, sr.; D Todd Gordon, sr.; GK Justin Wright, sr.; GK Brian Bettes, jr.

Key newcomers - F Brett Lasby, so.; D Kurt Ahlstrand, so.

Outlook - Falcons return nine who started at least part-time last season, including five two-year starters - among them first-team all-KingCo Shepherd and second-teamers Devine, McCoy and Collings. Lock for playoff spot. Strong contender for top-two finish - and the KingCo title-game berth that goes with it.