A blend of seven lettermen and what coach Brian Thompson calls the “best crop of freshman in eight or nine years” form the heart of this year’s Oak Harbor High School boys soccer team.

The lettermen are headed by senior midfielder Michael Shevchuk, a second-team, all-league selection in 2010, and, according to Thompson, one of the conference’s top players.

Other lettermen include senior Michael Radka (MF); juniors Vance Freitas (F) and Tucker Lundstrom (GK); and sophomores Isaiah Trower (D), Caleb Gatica-Cortes (D/MF) and Matt Jensen (D/MF).

The key newcomers, according to Thompson, are freshmen Andrew Mitchell (MF), Alexander Krantz (MF), Caley Powers (D), Gavin Stewart (MF) and Kevin Silveira (GK/MF).

Referring to the ninth-grade class, Thompson said, “The nice thing is we have four years to build with those guys.”

Twelve of the 19 varsity members are sophomores or freshmen, and the hope is the infusion of young, talented blood will help Oak Harbor improve on its 2010 two-win season.

Thompson likes what he sees so far, and said the team as a whole “moves the ball really well and has a lot of connection.”

The Wildcats start the season at Stanwood Tuesday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m.  That match is followed by the home and league opener with Shorecrest Thursday, March 17, at 7:30.