The rebuilding effort should be a quick one for Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

The Cougars graduated seven starters off last year's boys soccer team, which finished third at state after losing in the semifinals to two-time undefeated state champion Iowa City West.

“I think the seniors need to step it up and take leadership roles more,” said senior Shane Glenn.

Even with their departed leaders from last season, the Cougars are convinced they can be competitive again this season. They have five players coming back that either started or played as much as the starters.

Kennedy also will be receiving a boost from a somewhat unexpected source this season. Gabe and Garret Chistianson, a junior and senior, respectively, have decided to go out for the team. The Christianson brothers have not played high school soccer, although they are both accomplished club players.

“They are both really offensive-minded players and are really good at going forward and attacking creatively,” said senior Matt Peak.

Senior goalkeeper Ben Feltes sees that creativity turning into goals this season.

“They have a real feel for the game,” he said. ”They are natural players. They are great players, they have great touch and speed of play, they know the game, they have a knack for putting the ball in the back of the net, and that’s just what they are going to do.”

With the addition of the Christianson brothers, Kennedy believes it has a chance at being one of the top teams in the state again this season.

“I think we were going to be a team that was looking to be in the state tournament, that is going to be a very good team. But when you add those two to the team, assuming you don’t get injuries and the like, that makes us one of the top teams around,” co-head coach Mike Robertson said.

Challenges on the defensive side

But the Cougars also have some major holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball. The Cougars lost all three starting defenders to graduation and will need to find players to fill that void.

“I think we can do it, but once we start playing games we will find out where we are at and how long it’s going to take,” Robertson said. “I have no doubt that by the end of the year our back line will be nice and solid.

"We know we have some guys that can do it. It’s just a question of getting them all to play together and orient together.”

Once the 2011 version of the Cougars begins to gel, Robertson thinks there may be some fireworks this season.

“I think we are going to be an exciting team to watch,” he said. “Even more so than in the past. We are going to be more mobile than we were in the past and more mobile than many people have seen as far as changing positions.”

Even with all the player turnover, the Cougars are confident that by the end of the year, they will be able to beat anybody.

“I don’t know how, at the end of the year, how we are not going to be one of the top teams,” said co-coach Steven Robertson, who is Mike Robertson's brother.