Vikings became comeback kickers

New Berlin - New Berlin West boys soccer coach Ryan Otten has a lot to smile about looking back on the season.

Having started winless in seven games, the Vikings finished with a 14-8-4 record and advanced to the sectional finals.

The Vikings had eight All-Woodland Conference players, including two first-team performers.

Seniors Brock Shilling and Dino Poulos were first-team performers, sophomore Reed Albinger and senior Perry Hels were second-team and seniors Matt Rink, Zach Nelson and Tyler Robey and junior Kevin Marx were honorable mention selections.

Team awards were voted to Shilling (MVP), Robey (Most Improved Player) and Marx (Mike Dillett Award).

The Vikings were hot at the end of the year, finishing the season 14-3-2 in their last 19 games. They advanced in the postseason to the sectional final game after starting the season 0-5-2.

"It shows the type of character and resolve these young men had," Otten said. "We ended up playing one of the most difficult schedules in Division 2 and it helped us down the stretch run."

The Vikings also beat cross-town rival New Berlin Eisenhower to take control of the traveling trophy (The New Berlin Cup).

The Vikings lost to Pewaukee in the season final, 2-1, in overtime, but they bounced back and beat the Pirates, 4-2, with penalty kicks after tying 1-1 in double overtime.

Otten will lose 11 seniors off this year's team - forwards Nelson, Poulos, Rink, Shilling and Sangyun Kim; defenders Robey, Hels, Scott Franke, Max Harty and goalkeeper Jesse Steger; and Greg Cameron.

"This group of seniors will be missed, as we started 10 of our 11 seniors for most of our matches," Otten said. "Our program has reached new heights because of their dedication, skill level, work ethic and ability to win games at a high level. I wish all of them the very best in any endeavors they may have."