POLSON— More than a month after its season ended in heartbreaking fashion without a playoff berth, the Polson boys soccer team got some good news: seniors Peter Hanson and Jonah Barta made the all-state and all-conference team, while juniors Sean Hart and Trevor Moll made the all-conference Team.

Officially announced the last weekend of October after the Class A State Finals, the teammates were honored after a stellar 2009 campaign that included great individual, and team, achievements. The team finished with a 7-4-1 record overall, 5-2-1 in conference, and just outside the playoff picture. A team the Pirates had beaten and tied this season, Whitefish, eventually made it to the state finals before losing.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow because I think we were better than they are, but they are in the state championship and got a chance at the playoffs,” head coach Jess Kittle said of the conference foe Whitefish.

“It softened the blow for me, but as a team, we wanted it and I’d definitely trade it to go to the playoffs,” Barta said of his All-State selection.

Yet, this season was undoubtedly a step in the right direction after a 4-8 record last season, and a special year for the senior class.

“This season was definitely my top,” Barta, a defender and All-Conference selection a year ago, said. “We did so well, finished well and we were contending, and that was a big step up from my freshman year. We improved each year, put ourselves out there as a name in the conference and we’re not an underdog in the conference anymore.”

Hanson, in his second season on the Pirates, led the team with eight goals and four assists, and was the primary free kick taker from his midfield position. Hanson was honored by his all-state selection, but admits he didn’t see it coming.

“I thought I deserved it, but I was super surprised because my coach told me not to get my hopes up because there are a lot of good players in the state, and he played a little prank on me at the banquet,” Hanson said. “My best season came in my last year, and it was a good way to go out.”

Both players have aspirations to play in college. Hanson is looking at a few community colleges around Spokane, Wash., while Barta has considered trying to play at Western Washington. The two were clearly standouts from a very good team and both realize they wouldn’t have been honored without help from their team and coaches.

“I thought we had really good team chemistry this season,” Hanson said.

“It felt like a team, not a bunch of individuals.” Barta added, “It was one of the best all around teams, we all worked together. It was a whole team effort. I want to thank my coaches, they were really supportive and made my high school career really fun.”

While it will be tough to lose four good senior players, Kittle and the departing seniors had a lot of positive things to say about the team next year and their ability to build on this seasons accomplishments.

“I’d love to see those two step up and be team leaders,” Kittle said of his returning all-conference players Moll and Hart. “It’s a tough conference and anything can happen, but I’d really like to see those guys step up and earn the recognition that Jonah and Peter did this year. It’s nice to know we have some real good talent coming along.”