The challenge was daunting. Following in the footsteps of one of the best Boys soccer teams Bellarmine has ever seen. The 2012 team posted a nearly perfect record en route to a state semifinal appearance. That team graduated 14 seniors and lost other key components. Nearly all aspects from 2012’s phenomenal season were gone.

Insert 2013 Bellarmine Boys soccer team. With only one starter from the year before, this team featured a completely new look. New leadership had to emerge in order to make up for the lack of experience. Seniors Aaron Williams, Jack Casey and Shane Hallahan became the driving force behind a rebuilding year for the soccer program. Along with the experience of lone returning starter Conner Thompson, these leaders pushed the team past expectations.

Playing in the dominant 4A Narrows League, the Lions were projected by many to struggle through a losing season. Instead, the team rallied behind their leadership and the coaching expertise of Joe Waters to earn a 7-6-1 record. Combating a schedule loaded with many of the top teams in the state, finishing above .500 was a huge accomplishment.

And the future looks bright for the young Lions. Drew Barker became a name known by all throughout the Puget Sound. The junior was the head of the Lions’ attack, dribbling through defenders with speed and finesse. His signature left foot shots toward the far post were nearly unstoppable for opposing goalies to stop. After having a break out year Barker will be the key component of the offense in 2014.
Senior Aaron Williams is very excited about the upcoming years for the Boys soccer program, “We have very impressive underclassmen and a strong incoming class. The great talent should lead to success in the next couple of years. I am pumped to see what the future holds.”

This year is the base on which the future success of the Boys soccer program is being built on. The seniors made hard work and sacrifice a norm in the program, and established a bar of excellence for the future.