The Sumner High boys soccer faces a new year with new promise in a new league. The Spartans will be competing in South Puget Sound League 2A in 2011 and 11-year veteran coach Peter Voiles compares the new league to an unfamiliar landscape.

“I don’t know what they expect from the league,” he said. “They will be facing teams they haven’t faced before, so it will be all new. They can’t prepare by remembering the teams from last year.”

Several promising athletes are returning this season. Seniors Lloyd Merritt and Sam Hoyt have both returned. Hoyt is in his fourth season with the team.

Another exciting return is sophomore Jose Hernandez, Voiles said. Hernandez made the varsity team during his freshman year, starting every game.

On a less pleasant note, senior Dan Gunstone was injured last week, possibly tearing a ligament, Voiles said.

But the path this season will take is ultimately up to the players.

“At the high school level, coaching focuses on three important points: soccer skill, academics and character,” Voiles said. “They’ll get out of it what they put in with hard work. Basically, these guys reap what they sow.”

The Spartan program will have three nonleague games Saturday. The freshman/sophomore crew will hit the field at 10 a.m., with junior varsity and varsity times to be determined.