After losing 14 seniors last season, the Islanders boys soccer team is embarking on a rebuilding season, but don’t expect the team from Mercer Island to sit in the back of the pack.

Even with the large senior class gone, head coach Steve Newman said they had 12 new guys move up, thanks in large part to the strength of the Islanders’ high school program.

“It’s a different side from last year,” said captain Matthew McNamara. “But we’re still strong.”

That said, Newman said it’s very important to him that the team gets things off to a solid start from the first game, which took place last weekend against Skyline.

“It’s really important that we start off on a good note,” said the coach. He said he wants the team to play in unity and to play hard for each other, something that will require strong team chemistry, a major goal for the captains.

“We’re better as a team,” said junior captain Alex Wood. “Last year we had good individuals, but this year we’re better together.”

Senior captain and forward Perrin Guyer said this season the returners have all played together in some way and have experience working together.

Last spring the Islanders, who faced a rocky start and many injury issues, and lost to Seattle Prep on penalty kicks to end the season in districts.

“We want to be back on top of KingCo,” said McNamara, who plays left wing. “Last year wasn’t a nice way to go out, especially for the seniors. We don’t want it to be like that for us.”

In order to return to the top of the KingCo standings, the captains said the Islanders will have to be strong on defense, and have solid possession during games.

Newman said the team’s strengths are in the middle, with a strong midfield, which should help the Islanders hit the back of the net during games, but also the defense.

“We have talent and I always expect that we’ll do well, we just have to put it together and make it happen. The boys are working toward it,” said the coach. “Hard work prevails.”

This season, the Islanders have Sammamish, Bellevue and Mount Si marked on their calendars, while Newman is interested in seeing what Lake Washington will bring to the 3A league this season. He said for whatever reason the Mount Si match is always one the guys get revved up for, making it a very tough and physical match.

Mercer Island will begin the season’s regular matches against Liberty, at Islander Stadium on Friday, March 18. They will take on Lake Washington on March 22 at MIHS, and first meet Mount Si on April 12. All boys home games begin at 7:30 p.m.

2011 Schedule

3/18 vs. Liberty

3/22 vs. Lake Washington

3/25 vs. Juanita

3/29 vs. Interlake

4/1 vs. Bellevue

4/5 at Sammamish

4/12 vs. Mount Si

4/15 at Lake Washington

4/19 at Juanita

4/22 at Interlake

4/26 at Bellevue

4/29 vs. Sammamish

5/3 at Liberty

5/6 at Mount Si