Wolves' season ends with 5-0 whitewashing

"Eric Bergeson has mixed emotions about the season that was.The South Kitsap High School boys soccer coach watched his team lose to the Wilson Rams 5-0 at Stadium Bowl Monday to end the season.A win would have thrust the Wolves into the West Central District tournament, but just like last year they couldn't get out of the Narrows League playoffs and the athletic Rams.I'm disappointed with the way we finished, Bergeson said. It shouldn't have been 5-0. We did pretty much the opposite of our game plan.The combination of Wilson's Joey Gjertsen and SK's inability to put the ball in the net spelled doom before halftime.Gjertsen scored three goals in the game, including two in the first 15 minutes of the game to help give Wilson a 3-0 lead at the halfway mark.Wilson tacked on two more goals in the second half against a dejected Wolves' team.SK brings back the majority of its players next year, but for seniors Jimmy French, Justin Lillybridge, Greg Pyle and Todd Westin, they've played their final prep game.Bergeson said it will be a difficult task replacing French and Lillybridge, both captains who gave leadership to a very young Wolves' team.Our most glaring loss is French, Bergeson said. He'll be tough to replace. Lillybridge worked so hard and has such a strong desire.Though next season is nine months away Bergeson said he can't help but think about the future of SK soccer.We've got a real strong core returning, he said. The secret is for us to gel at the beginning of the season and not the middle of the season.Bergeson said the off-field distractions and injuries delayed SK's chemistry until it was too late in the season.Now the bar is set higher, Bergeson said. We were able to develop some good mental toughness and physical toughness, he said. We can't spend half a season before gelling and expect to compete.Other than finding a goalkeeper, Bergeson said an offensive weapon needs to emerge as well.With a big chunk of the players playing soccer together on an SK select team this summer, Bergeson said the potential for a more successful season next year is there.It will be interesting to see who will put the ball in the net next year, he said. They can get tremendously better. I think when you lose your final game 5-0 that works as a motivator to get better. You want to play at that level. "

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