The key for the Liberty soccer team is putting two good halves together in the same game.

“We haven’t been able to put two halves together,” said Liberty coach Darren Tremblay. “We’re sorting things out and getting better, but there’s definitely room for improvement.”

The team has shown flashes. April 20 against Mercer Island, Liberty was tied with the Islanders 1-1 at the half. Then April 13 against Bellevue, the Patriots outscored the Wolverines 1-0 in the second half.

The main culprit so far is the Patriots’ defense, where new players have yet to find chemistry. Liberty has allowed 2.72 goals per game during its 4-7 start and has allowed 15 goals in the past three games against top-tier KingCo League competition.

“It’s so hard for four guys who have never played together back there to get it together in a 10-week season,” Tremblay said. “Things are a little bit in disarray back there.”

Tremblay recently changed the team to a 4-5-1 formation to help the defense. He is optimistic about the defensive progress with the change, while still keeping a viable offensive attack.

Key players for Liberty have been seniors Dean Byron, Matt Filer, Kevin Barretto, Mark Loreen, Jay Haberman and Cody Sorteberg.

Byron was a first team all-KingCo player last season and recently moved from stopper to midfield. Filer plays at defender and forward. Barretto (honorable mention all-KingCo) and Loreen are forwards. Haberman and Sorteberg and midfielders and both made honorable mention all-KingCo last year.

Liberty plays Juanita Friday in a huge game for the Patriots’ playoff chances. The top five KingCo teams go to the playoffs.