Last season was a historic turnaround for the Warren Central Vikings soccer program. Fifteen wins and a division title were impressive feats.

Judging by Tuesday’s 5-0 shellacking of Richland at Viking Stadium, the Vikings appeared to be even better this season, improving to a 9-0 start.

Erik Chappell had a hat-trick with all three goals coming within a 15-minute span of the first half. Marcus Renner, a German exchange student, had two assists.

“We clearly dominated the game, but we should’ve scored more,” said Renner, who is the second German national to figure prominently in WC’s soccer resurgence. Chappell is certainly benefitting from easy shots on goal.

“It’s not just me, we’re a better team,” Chappell said. “The teamwork is better.”

WC coach Greg Head can vouch for that.

“Marcus and Erik play so well off each other,” Head said. “Marcus has played so well in the midfield, and that has just opened up a lot of things for Erik.”

Renner, who hails from a German town near Frankfurt, said he and Chappell and the other Vikings have become fast friends.

“We have a bunch of seniors and there is a lot of chemistry,” Renner said. “We hang out and play a lot of indoor ball. I don’t think I played all that well tonight, but as a team, we had some nice combinations.”

One of those came on the Vikings’ first goal as Tre Wilson sent a corner kick to the top, which Renner dribbled out to Michael Mason, who booted the ball off the wrong foot and still rolled it in the net.

“Hit it with my left foot but it found its way,” Mason said.

Renner set up Chappell for a 2-0 lead at the 29-minute mark. Four minutes later, Chappell broke loose and got a one-on-one with the Richland keeper for an easy shot and a 3-0 lead.

With 11:46 left in the half, Buddy Cook controlled an excellent cross kick to a wide-open Chappell for his third goal of the game and a 4-0 lead. Six minutes later, Kyle Frazier scored off an assist from Ethan Massey.

Clinton transfer Casey Ming had two saves in the second half to give regular keeper G-Mal Brinnon an easy night.

With an unbeaten record, WC looks to get its first real test Friday when they travel to Class 5A power Pearl. Saturday, the Vikings open division play at home against Greenville-Weston.

“We know when we play the better teams, we have to start off well,” Chappell said. “We have to work on our possessions.”