It should be an interesting year for the Ballard boy's soccer team with 13 seniors providing enough experience and confidence for the team to predict a KingCo Tournament qualification at year's end.

Head Coach Gary Hunter says his Beavers must finish in the top six in KingCo to make the playoffs.

Miles Rydinski, one of the team captains is anticipating a big year for the red and black.

"We have a really good shot at the playoffs and hopefully go to state. We have a really good team, we have a lot of seniors and experience," said Rydinski.

Eight players on the team played together on the Rocket 88's, a select team in the Lower Woodland Club Soccer league that was fourth in the state last year.

"We have a lot of experience playing soccer together," said Rydinski.

Hunter said this is one of his best teams at Ballard. "All the kids have been in the program. They know what to expect. They have matured together," he said.

Assistant Coach Val Seid, who coached the Ballard girls into the KingCo Tournament in the fall is handling the team's offense.

"They will do well. The boys have heart this year, that will help them," said Seid.

Ballard beat Mt. Rainier in an exhibition match earlier this month.

On March 13, they beat an old nemesis Redmond, a team they had not defeated in two years. Ballard won 2-1.

Last year the team lost six straight games by a 1-0 score. "They were nail biters all the way," said Seid.

"This year we have everything worked out," said Rydinski.

Hunter says the Garfield game on March 23 at Interbay is a big game and expects many fans to turn out. The Bulldogs are one of the top city teams and how well the Beavers do against them will be a test.

Soccer powers Eastlake and Inglemoor from the eastside schools will also challenge Ballard for dominance in KingCo.

Ballard plays at home against Juanita on March 23, March 27 at Eastlake and on March 30 they host Woodinville.