One year after a disappointing season marred with miscues both on and off the field, the Newport Knights are in the midst of a major turnaround.

After being hampered by injuries and other off-field issues throughout 2010, the Knights are off to a solid 5-2-1 start this season and find themselves in a tie for second place in 4A KingCo behind only Skyline.

Using a stellar offensive attack and sound defensive principles in their own end, Newport raced out of the gate with four consecutive wins to begin the year. That success gave coach Michael Smith’s team a shot of confidence after failing to live up to their own expectations for much of 2010.

Smith has seen the difference in his players saying, “This year, we’re just focusing on the positives.”

Offensively, the Knights have found plenty to focus on.

Newport has scored two or more goals in all but one of their games this year, including five-goal outbursts against Juanita and Bothell and a 4-0 effort over Inglemoor.

Pacing the Newport attack are seniors Michael Kahn, Kyle Savette and Vlad Strava Sirbu.

Kahn and Sirbu have each netted five goals already this year while Savette has found his niche as the prototypical set-up man with a team-leading six assists. Junior Brendan Koch has also added three assists from the midfield position, making Newport one of the most dangerous teams in the league on the attack. “One of the things we’re working on is that connection between our strikers and midfielders,” Smith said. “Our forwards are able to finish for us, which has been huge.”

Defensively, Smith emphasized playing with discipline and an ability to close down and bring pressure when opponents decide to attack. The coach also said that solid structure in their own end has been critical for his team.

But the early success does not mean Smith is planning on coasting through the second half of the year, saying his team will need to continue to build on their improved cohesion and focus in order to continue to see results. “It’s just the focus that can minimize some of the mistakes we’ve been making,” Smith pointed out. “If we can be consistent and continue to work for each other, we will do well.”