2011 Soccer Team Capsules

NORTHWEST LEAGUE

ARBOR VIEW
Coach: Roger Brown, sixth season
2010 record: 10-3-8 overall (7-2-7 Northwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (four)
Top players: GK Richie Garness (Sr.), MF Toby Cartlidge (Jr.), SWP Julian Hernandez (Jr.)
Outlook: The Aggies bring back only four starters from a team that lost only three matches last year.
“We will contend this year and hope to go deep into the playoffs,” Brown said.

CENTENNIAL
Coach: Tommy Porrello, sixth season
2010 record: 9-6-3 (8-5-3 Northwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (five)
Top players: F Chance Rosa (Sr.), D Erik Christiansen (Sr.), F/MF Blake Frischknecht (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs lost six starters from a team that narrowly missed qualifying for the postseason, finishing one point behind both third-place Cimarron-Memorial and fourth-place Arbor View.
Rosa scored 16 goals, and Christiansen and Frischknecht each added 11 goals and double-figure assists last season.
“We need to work hard to develop into a cohesive group,” Porrello said. “It is our goal to become a competitive team that can earn a return to the playoffs.”

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Coach: Mark Bailey, second season
2010 record: 9-6-4 (8-4-4 Northwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (four)
Top players: D/GK Alex Ramirez (Sr.), MF Gera Zacarias (Jr.), D Pedro Carrera (Sr.), MF/F Oso Valencia (Jr.)
Outlook: The Spartans must replace seven starters from a team that placed third in the Northwest League last season.
“We look forward to qualifying for the playoffs and having a great season,” Bailey said.

FAITH LUTHERAN
Coach: Nate Hagge, sixth season
2010 record: 7-16-2 (1-14-1 Northwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (six)
Top players: D/GK Murad Ahmed (Sr.), F D’Khari Hicks (Jr.), D/MF Sam Stevens (Jr.), F/MF Todd Tomburo (Sr.), MF Zach Habart (Sr.)
Outlook: The Crusaders bring back six starters, but will still be a young squad.
Hicks is the leading returning scorer, after netting nine goals and seven assists last season. Tomburo added six goals last season.
“We will need to rely heavily on the returning varsity players to get new players used to the higher level,” Hagge said. “Finding the right combination/lineup will be a major key element for success.”

MOJAVE
Coach: Rachal Huntsinger, fourth season
2010 record: 5-10-3 (3-10-3 Northwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (six)
Top players: MF/D Giovanni Amaya (So.), D Alex Mendoza (Sr.), F Travis Cunningham (Sr.), D Adrian Soto (So.), MF Noe Garcia (So.)
Outlook: The Rattlers have 11 players with varsity experience returning, eight of those having lettered last season.
Cunningham and Garcia each scored three goals last season, and the Rattlers are hoping to develop more scoring threats as they look to move up in the Northwest League.

PALO VERDE
Coach: Kevin Hagood, 15th season
2010 record: 13-2-3 (12-1-3 Northwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (three)
Top players: MF Alexander Shackley (Sr.), D Mitchell Scott (Jr.), D Taylor O’Harra (Sr.)
Outlook: The Panthers were hit hard by graduation, losing eight starters.
“We are in a rebuilding year with most of last year’s squad having graduated,” Hagood said. “We are returning only six (players) from the varsity roster last year. We will be young and inexperienced at every position.”

SOUTHWEST LEAGUE

DESERT OASIS
Coach: William Matthews, fourth season
2010 record: 4-10-4 (2-10-4 Southwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): 10 (five)
Top players: D/MF Tyler Pino (Sr.), F Uriel Gamboa (Sr.), F Eric Biorato (So.), D/MF Joel Reddick (Sr.), D/MF Daniel Eslinger (Sr.)
Outlook: The Diamondbacks bring back 10 lettermen, but only five starters, as they attempt to move up in the Southwest League.
“The team will focus on generating stronger attacking plays that originate from an aggressive defense,” Matthews said.

DURANGO
Coach: Harold Nichols, second season
2010 record: 2-13-3 (1-12-3 Southwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (four)
Top players: D Jeremy Allen (Jr.), F Ryan Benevente (Sr.), MF Paris Estrada (So.), D Erick Perez (Jr.), GK Richard Zavala (So.)
Outlook: The Trailblazers are hoping a rebuilding season last year starts to pay some dividends this season.
Six lettermen return from a team that struggled in Southwest League play.
Benavente and Estrada scored nine goals each last season, giving Durango reason for optimism on offense.
“The team is coming into the season with positive energy,” Nichols said. “The team is young, but there are still experienced players that will serve as great mentors for developing players. The outlook is encouraging.”

PAHRUMP VALLEY
Coach: Lee Cummings
2010 record: 3-15-3 (2-11-3 Southwest)
Returning starters: 7
Top players: MF Brice Moser (Sr.); D Hilario Alcaraz (Sr.); MF Teandre Small (Sr.); F Juan Martinez (Sr.)
Outlook: Cummings said the team will focus more on ball control and passing this season, and is excited by the squad’s prospects.
The coach expects the team to be more competitive and contend for a spot in the postseason.

SIERRA VISTA
Coach: Ryan Quinn, eighth season
2010 record: 6-9-3 (5-8-3 Southwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): 13 (eight)
Top players: D Jorge Echavarria (Sr.), MF Milan Popovic (Sr.), F Truitt Evans (Jr.), MF Ivan Petrov (Jr.)
Outlook: With eight starters back from a team that placed fifth in the Southwest League, the Mountain Lions should be in the postseason hunt.
Popovic returns after scoring 10 goals and adding 13 assists last year, and Echavarria, who scored six goals, will lead the defense.
“We look to be a strong contender to make a playoff spot,” Quinn said. “We are also looking for our first playoff win. We have some young talent that will contribute this season.”

SPRING VALLEY
Coach: Bill Hamilton, eighth season
2010 record: 12-6-1 (10-5-1 Southwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (two)
Top players: Ricardo Gonzalez (Sr.)
Outlook: Graduation took a big bite out of the Grizzlies, who return just two starters from a team that placed fourth in the Southwest.
Gonzalez was an All-Sunset Region selection and will be looked to for leadership.
“We are young, but we still expect to compete in every game and make the playoffs,” Hamilton said.

WESTERN
Coach: Jorge Cobian, third season
2010 record: 12-5 (12-4 Southwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (nine)
Top players: D Elmer Mejia (Sr.), MF Jonathan Sanchez (Sr.), D Ismael Santiago (Sr.), MF Diego Ramirez (Sr.), MF Luis Agustin (Sr.), MF Jose Castillo (Jr.), GK Reynaldo Vazquez (So.)
Outlook: The Warriors return nine starters from a team that placed third in the Southwest League last season and should be primed for another strong year.
“Our process and goals remain the same as last year, make the playoffs and win a spot in the final,” Cobian said. “With the new young talent, I know it’s going to be a great season.”

NORTHEAST LEAGUE

CANYON SPRINGS
Coach: Dan Myers, second season
2010 record: 9-3-4 (7-3-4 Northeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Four (three)
Top players: D/MF Eduardo Donate Enriquez (Sr.), D/MF Miguel Rodriguez (Jr.), D Eduardo Zurita (Jr.)
Outlook: The Pioneers lost 10 seniors to graduation, leaving the team in a rebuilding mode.
Only three starters return from a team that narrowly missed getting to the postseason.
“We will be young. There are many new faces,” Myers said. “The team will be competitive. I expect them to be in the mix for a playoff spot.”

DESERT PINES
Coach: Judas Perez, third season
2010 record: 15-4-3 (9-2-3 Northeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Four (four)
Top players: D Alfredo Mendoza (Sr.), D Mario Moreira (Sr.), MF Hector Hernandez (Jr.)
Outlook: The Jaguars rode a dream season all the way to the state title match last year, but were hit hard by graduation.
Only four of the 11 starters from that team return.
“We lost a lot of seniors,” Perez said. “It’s a rebuilding year, and a chance to play and develop the younger players.”

ELDORADO
Coach: Gerald Pentsil, 23rd season
2010 record: 9-9-1 (8-5-1 Northeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (seven)
Top players: F Ruben Duran (Sr.), F Luis Cruz (Sr.), MF Jesse Marta (Sr.), MF Onofre Meza (Sr.)
Outlook: Duran returns to the team after participating on the U.S. National Team and should bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Cruz scored 13 goals, and Marta added six tallies last season.
“It’s a veteran team,” Pentsil said. “We’re expecting to do well if the defense holds up.”

SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
Coach: Brett Underwood, second season
2010 record: 5-11-2 (2-10-2 Northeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (eight)
Top players: None reported
Outlook: The Miners are continuing to try to build their program, and should benefit from having eight starters return.
“We are working on being competitive and staying in games,” Underwood said.

VALLEY
Coach: Frank D’Amelio, second season
2010 record: 10-2-6 (9-0-5 Northeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): 10 (seven)
Top players: MF Julio Borjas (Sr.), F Juan Carlos Gomez (Jr.), D Abel Alvarado (Sr.)
Outlook: The Vikings didn’t drop a match in Northeast League play last year and return seven starters from that squad.
Borjas is back after scoring nine goals and adding seven assists, and Gomez recorded 11 goals and five helpers last season, giving Valley a very good one-two scoring punch.
Still, the Northeast is expected to be a competitive league again this year after a handful teams spent most of last season exchanging first place.
“We hope to make the playoffs and see where it takes us,” D’Amelio said.

SOUTHEAST LEAGUE

CORONADO
Coach: Dusty Barton, fourth season
2010 record: 12-2-7 (8-1-5 Southeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Seven (four)
Top players: F Jordan Yergensen (Sr.), D Luke Sanford (Sr.), GK Alex McCall (Sr.), MF Jeremy Habibian (Sr.), MF Parker Rich (Sr.)
Outlook: The Cougars lost eight seniors, seven of them starters, to graduation, leaving some big holes to fill.
“We are young, in a rebuilding year, and hope to compete for a playoff spot,” Barton said. “Following a season of draws, we hope to be more offensive-minded this year.”

DEL SOL
Coach: John Britt, eighth season
2010 record: 13-6-2 (10-3-1 Southeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (three)
Top players: GK Ramon Lucio (Sr.), MF/D Jesus Magallon (Sr.), MF/D Yefri Rodriguez (Sr.)
Outlook: The Dragons will have a tough chore trying to repeat the success of last season, when the team advanced to the Sunrise Region championship match.
Losing nine seniors makes the road even more bumpy.
“We will be young, but competitive,” Britt said. “Don’t count us out.”

FOOTHILL
Coach: Andrew Risheg, fifth season
2010 record: 4-11-1 (2-11-1 Southeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (five)
Top players: D Shane Volesky (Sr.), D Anthony Santo (Sr.), F Dakota Moack (So.)
Outlook: The Falcons struggled at times to be competitive last season and will have to make up for the loss of leading scorer Christian Volesky to graduation.
“We will be a young, freshman-heavy team,” Risheg said.

GREEN VALLEY
Coach: Jacob Rivera, second season
2010 record: 8-7-2 (6-6-2 Southeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Four (four)
Top players: Ivan Rodriguez (So.)
Outlook: With only four starters back from a team that narrowly missed qualifying for the Sunrise Region playoffs, the Gators have some work to do this year.
“The team will be very young, only having four seniors,” Rivera said. “However, the team is looking forward to building chemistry and playing a better brand of soccer.”

SILVERADO
Coach: John Cwik, 15th season
2010 record: 8-5-4 (6-4-4 Southeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): Five (five)
Top players: F Michael Maldonado (Jr.), D Jacob Holquin (So.)
Outlook: With only five starters back from a team that placed fourth in the Southeast last year, the Skyhawks have some work to do.
Maldonado is back after scoring four goals last year.
“We are very young with probably five sophomore starters,” Cwik said. “We should be stronger than the last couple of years.”

TECH
Coach: Josh Jones, 13th season
2010 record: 14-2-4 (11-1-2 Southeast)
Returning lettermen (starters): 15 (seven)
Top players: MF/F Edwin Lopez (Sr.), MF Oscar Velazquez (Jr.), F Rafael Munoz (Jr.), MF Juan Palacios (Jr.), F Salvador Garcia (So.)
Outlook: The three-time defending Southeast champions return 15 lettermen as they bid for a fourth straight crown.
Garcia scored 11 goals, and Velazquez added nine goals and 14 assists last season for Tech, which also returns Munoz and his seven goals and Lopez’s five goals and seven assists.
“On paper, this will look like a very young team with only two seniors on the roster,” Jones said. “But we return 15 players from a team that only had two losses last year.
Tech did lose some of its top defenders, but Jones said he has “several promising younger players” who could make up for that loss.
“We return the core of the offense,” Jones said. “We look to battle for the league title, as well as a deep run into the playoffs.”

CLASS 3A SOUTHERN LEAGUE

ADELSON SCHOOL
Coach: Jesse Wagenaar, fourth season
2010 record: 0-4-1 (independent)
Returning starters: Seven
Top players: MF Ori Barashi (Sr.), D Ross Behrin (Sr.), STR Mendy Berrebi, F Rob Blackwell, D Dominic Bembenek, D Leo Rozen
Outlook: The Lions return seven starters from last year’s squad as they prepare for their Class 3A debut.
“A strong focus will be playing as a unit,” Wagenaar said. “A secondary focus will be maintaining the center of the pitch and executing simple touches and deliveries to our strikers, minimizing counter-attacks, and frustrating the opposition with grit and strong team work.
“We want to play competitively and with a determination to score through key set pieces.”

THE MEADOWS
Coach: Garry Shackley, seventh season
2010 record: 8-5-3 (3-1-2 3A Southern)
Returning lettermen (starters): 10 (seven)
Top players: MF Corin Galati (Sr.), MF Marco Lorico-Rappa (Sr.), UTL Alicia Blackha (Sr.)
Outlook: Galati is the top returning offensive threat, having registered five goals and 12 assists last season.
In all, the Mustangs have seven starters back, but much of the goal scoring has departed, forcing The Meadows to develop a few more scoring options.
“The loss of the main scoring threats from the last few seasons will have some effect on the team,” Shackley said. “However, we retain a number of skillful and capable players, and the core of the midfield should be able to carry the team forward.”
The Mustangs are aiming for a spot in the regional final and a potential state berth.

VIRGIN VALLEY
Coach: Bob Snell, 12th season
2010 record: 4-16-2 (2-3-1 3A Southern)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (six)
Top players: F William Lara (Sr.), MF Danny Medina (Sr.), GK Miguel Martinez (Sr.), D Jaime Moreno (Sr.), MF Gabe Medina (Fr.)
Outlook: Lara netted 21 goals and nine assists in 16 matches last year, and together with Danny Medina (10 goals, four assists), gives the Bulldogs two potent weapons.
“We have good team speed and have players who can put the ball in the net,” Snell said. “The key for us will be how we play defensively.”
To shore up that defense, Snell has moved Martinez to the goalkeeper position this year.
“If we get solid play from our keeper and defense, we should contend with Boulder City and The Meadows for the 3A South title. Our goal is to make the playoffs and get back to Reno for state.”

GIRLS SOCCER

FAITH LUTHERAN
Coach: Steve Morrill, second season
2010 record: 14-5-1 (1-0-1 4A Fall Southern)
Returning letter winners (starters): 14 (eight)
Top players: D/MF Kristen Uy (Sr.), D Taylor Pori (Sr.), GK Kelly Zufall (Jr.), F Dani Tharaldson (So.), MF/F Kendall Pori (So.)
Outlook: Tharaldson and Kendall Pori combined to score 36 goals last season and should provide an offensive spark again this year for the Crusaders.
Zufall recorded eight shutouts last season.
“We have a good core of returning contributors from last season,” Morrill said. “We lost a solid group of seniors, but have eight returning starters and a couple of freshmen who can hopefully make an impact right away.”
Faith Lutheran and Pahrump Valley will again face off in the southern regional for the right to advance to the state tournament.
“We hope to compete well against Pahrump,” Morrill said.