Several players return to a team with high expectations for their playoff chances.

With all the headaches and problems that can creep up on a new coach, George Vukic hasn’t had much difficulty learning about his team and adapting to the high school game.

“It’s been easier than I expected,” the new BHS boys soccer coach said. “They’re a reasonable bunch and the chemistry has been great. I came in carefully and tested the waters to see if we can get everybody on board, and that’s happened. Now we’re on the same page and I can ask for a little bit more.”

The Spartans haven’t had to adjust much to Vukic’s style either.

“It’s been great, because he’s a really positive guy,” senior forward Elijah Distefano said. “He brings a lot of positive stuff to the team.”

There wasn’t much to be positive about last season.

Bainbridge started off strong with a 4-0-2 record including wins over North Kitsap, Port Townsend, Sequim and West Seattle, but won just one game in their last eight contests, finishing 5-8-3 and missing the playoffs.

This year, the Spartans have started with a 3-2-2 mark, including wins over O’Dea and perennial state power Lakeside.

They lost to North Kitsap last Saturday for the first time in three years, but Vukic was impressed despite the inclement weather, bad field conditions and tough 4A opponent.

“We’re not making excuses, but we’re not firing on all cylinders,” he said, noting the loss of some of his players. “But it’s nice to build the core of the team in games like this.

“They play a nice brand of soccer. They play a nice, attractive, skilled type of game. They are unselfish, they’re creative, they’re unified in their approach. They make some mistakes, but generally speaking, what they’re trying to do is the right thing.”

Against the Vikings, the Spartans gave up a goal in the first half, but kept North from capitalizing on any more opportunities.

In the second half, Bainbridge went on the offensive.

Sophomore defender Kyle Scoble and senior defender Leandre Fischer had good looks off of great passes from junior midfielder Max Aussendorf and junior forward Clay Goodhue, respectively, but were just off the mark with their shots.

North Kitsap scored their second goal when Bolt made the save with a deflection, but he was caught out of position and a Viking player easily put back the rebound in the 45th minute.

But the Spartans kept at it, and after a corner kick, junior defender Johnny Baggett put back a blocked shot at the 51st minute for their first goal of the game.

That was the last of the scoring, as North appeared to have scored in the 65th minute, but the goal was disallowed as the North player interfered with Bolt while he was making the save.

Distefano had a run at the goal in the 77th minute, but his shot was wide.

Bainbridge is missing their top two players in senior midfielder Will O’Donnell and junior midfielder Dylan Tucker-Gangnes, both All-Metro selections last season.

O’Donnell is out as he works his way back from a bad hip while Tucker-Gangnes is off traveling with his select team. Vukic expects both to be back after spring break at the latest.

With both players out, the team could have underperformed, but senior defender Lucas Pearl said their early season success shows the Spartans are more than just two players.

“Even though we don’t have our stars we can still win, so that’s good,” he said.

Distefano agreed.

“Because we didn’t have them in there, it’s really made the rest of us bring up our game,” he said. “I don’t think a lot of us were ready for it, but in turn we all rose to the occasion and now we’re doing a lot better.”

Along with O’Donnell and Tucker-Ganges, Distefano, Bolt, Pearl, Fischer, senior defender Zack Connor, Aussendorf and Scoble have all come back for Bainbridge.

“Max Aussendorf has been unbelievable,” Vukic said. “Zack Connor has been unbelievable in the back (as a defender).”

Also getting the coach’s attention are Goodhue, freshman forward Jimmy Baggett, junior midfielder Colin Gremse and sophomore defender Peter Pettersen.

The team has gotten goals from a number of players, and when O’Donnell and Tucker-Ganges return, Vukic says they’ll be competitive in an always tough league with Bishop Blanchet, Seattle Prep and Eastside Catholic among the standouts.

“I feel very good about this season,” he said. “When we really find a formula that works for us, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

The players felt the same way.

“We have a really good chance of running (to) state,” Distefano said. “We’ll definitely do a lot better in league (play) than we have in the last couple of years that we’ve been here.

The Spartans lost at Seattle Prep 1-0 on Thursday.

They won’t play any games over the break and will return to action at Bishop Blanchet at 3:30 p.m. April 17.