2014 Boys Soccer Capsules
ARBOR VIEW
Head coach: Robert Starbird, third season
2013 record: 5-14-1 (4-6 Northwest, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (three)
Top athletes: MF/F James Drye (Jr.), MF Daniel Garcia (Sr.), D Dustin Moore (Jr.)
Outlook: The Aggies have 10 returnees, but only three starters back, from a team that qualified for the Sunset Region playoffs last year.
“Along with our returners, we have a lot of new young faces,” Starbird said. “We hope to get them all working together and give ourselves a chance to make the playoffs.”
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BONANZA
Head coach: Daniel Bressler, third season, and Andrew Sherer
2013 record: 1-12-2 (0-9-1 Southwest, sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (six)
Outlook: The Bengals struggled to compete last year, but are hoping for improvement this season.
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BOULDER CITY
Head coach: Frank Pimentel, fourth season
2013 record: 4-13-1 (1-11 Sunrise, sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (four)
Top athletes: D/MF Victor Andrades (Sr.)
Outlook: The Eagles took some lumps last year, but are hoping to show improvement.
“It’s a very young team looking to build off of last year,” Pimentel said.
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CANYON SPRINGS
Head coach: Dan Myers, fifth season
2013 record: 9-7-3 (6-3-1 Northeast, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (seven)
Top athletes: GK Raymond Ruano (Sr.), MF Daniel Moran (Sr.), F/MF Gaspar Gonzalez (Sr.), F/MF Jose Gonzalez (Sr.), MF Ivan Adame (Sr.), MF Brian Santa Cruz (Sr.)
Outlook: The Pioneers bring back seven starters from a team that finished second in the Northeast League and advanced to the Sunrise Region quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion Eldorado.
“The Pioneers will look to build on their playoff run from last season,” Myers said. “The team is very experienced with 12 seniors on the roster.
“The team will rely on communication and speed to attack, and Ruano is a solid keeper. Canyon Springs will look to make a deep playoff run, and hopefully make a challenge for the Northeast League title.”
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CHAPARRAL
Head coach: Eric Rolwing, fourth season
2013 record: 9-7-1 (6-5-1 Sunrise, fourth)
Returning starters: Eight
Top athletes: GK Gerardo Skewes (Sr.), F Jose Morales (Jr.), D Omar Carranza (Sr.), D Lester Izquierdo (Sr.)
Outlook: Skewes was the Division I-A player of the year last year.
Morales, who had 12 goals and seven assists last year, should help lead the offense for the Cowboys, who return eight starters.
“This is a year that we have been building for since I arrived at Chaparral four years ago,” Rolwing said. “We are obviously expecting to be a major factor in the state championship this year.
“Our preseason schedule is the toughest in the state this year, and that schedule reflects the confidence I have in this team.”
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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Head coach: Mark Bailey, sixth season
2013 record: 13-4-4 (6-1-3 Southwest, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (five)
Top athletes: MF/F Nico DeLaTorre (Sr.), MF Gustavo Ortega (Sr.), F Garrick Quackenbush (Sr.), MF Dresden Quackenbush (So.), GK Richard Crews (Jr.)
Outlook: The Spartans bring back five starters from a team that advanced to the Sunset Region final last year.
DeLaTorre (17 goals, eight assists), Ortega (eight goals, seven assists) and Garrick Quackenbush (eight goals) all can be offensive weapons. Crews recorded four shutouts.
“After losing six starters, the Spartans look to rebuild with a strong senior class and a supporting cast of young players,” Bailey said. “Returning three of the top four scorers will be a huge boost. As always, Cimarron-Memorial expects to qualify for and play far into the the postseason.”
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CORONADO
Head coach: Dustin Barton, seventh season
2013 record: 8-8-2 (4-5-1 Southeast, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (nine)
Top athletes: F Justin Lyons (Sr.), D Max Caso (Sr.), D Jalen Randolph (Sr.), D Holden Smyth (Sr.)
Outlook: With the bulk of last year’s starting lineup back, the Cougars hope for a successful season.
“We are returning nine starters from last year and look to compete for a playoff spot in a tough league,” Barton said.
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DESERT OASIS
Head coach: William Matthews, seventh season
2013 record: 7-8-1 (4-6 Southwest, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (four)
Top athletes: D Luis Cisneros (Sr.), F Marcellous Curtis (Jr.), GK Damien Herrera (Sr.), D Kirk Schroeder (Jr.), D Alec Kuklish (Jr.), F Diego Hidalgo (Jr.)
Outlook: The Diamondbacks lost seven starters to graduation and are hoping to reload.
Curtis should be among the leaders on offense after registering four goals and six assists last year.
Herrera returns in goal, where he posted three shutouts last season.
“Desert Oasis will begin a new chapter in their school’s history,” Matthews said. “Led by four-year varsity sweeper Luis Cisneros and goalkeeper Damien Herrera, the Diamondbacks will be hunting for their first playoff berth.”
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DURANGO
Head coach: Richard Cuellar, first season
2013 record: 5-10-3 (3-4-3 Northwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (four)
Top athletes: MF Jorge Lorza (Sr.), MF Giovanni Rodriguez (Jr.), F Taichi Mouri (Sr.)
Outlook: The Trailblazers bring back only four starters from a team that finished fourth in the Northwest League last year.
“We have a lot of new and exceptional players and are looking forward to having a great season,” Cuellar said. “We’re hoping to make regionals and then state.”
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ELDORADO
Head coach: Gerald Pentsil, 26th season
2013 record: 21-0-2 (9-0-1 Southeast, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (four)
Top athletes: D Marco Ramirez (Sr.), F Israel Hernandez (Sr.), D Alejandro Cisneros (Jr.), F Gabriel Pedraza (Sr.), D Eddie Mercardo (Sr.)
Outlook: The defending state champions lost a big senior class, but still have plenty of talent on the roster.
Ramirez and Mercardo both were All-Southern Nevada honorees last year.
“We’re hoping to fill holes left by three starters in midfield and one forward,” Pentsil said.
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FAITH LUTHERAN
Head coach: Nate Hagge, ninth season
2013 record: 12-6-5 (7-3-4 Sunset, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (seven)
Top athletes: GK/D Carter Bishop (Sr.), F Harut Khachoyan (Jr.), MF Logan Buckley (Jr.), GK Phil Starcher (So.)
Outlook: The Crusaders welcome back seven starters.
Chief among the returnees on offense are Khachoyan (nine goals, two assists) and Buckley (five goals, three assists).
“Harut and Logan will need to step up and fill the offensive leadership role on the team to coordinate the attack,” Hagge said. “Keys for the offense will be to continue to maintain more possession throughout the game.”
Starcher (eight shutouts, 89 saves) and Bishop (two shutouts, 13 saves) return to give Faith Lutheran a solid combination in goal.
“The goalie position is strong and deep,” Hagge said.
The Crusaders have some work to do on defense, though, after graduating three starting defenders.
“Developing a new back four will be a main focus,” Hagge said. “The team has a lot of potential and needs to come together to have that success.”
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FOOTHILL
Head coach: Andrew Risheg, eighth season
2013 record: 11-8-2 (5-4-1 Southeast, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Fifteen (nine)
Top athletes: D Matt Pablico (Sr.), MF Mason Reid (Sr.), MF Jackson Dietrich (Sr.), GK Derek Lawson (Sr.), F Robby Cowan (Sr.), MF/F Micheal Carnahan (Jr.)
Outlook: The Falcons return three of their top four scorers from last season.
Cowan had 25 goals and 10 assists. Reid added nine goals, and Dietrich scored five. They’re expected to lead an offense that is not short on firepower.
“We are in a tough league and are hoping to make the playoffs,” Risheg said.
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GREEN VALLEY
Head coach: Jacob Rivera, fifth season
2013 record: 13-9-3 (5-4-1 Northeast, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (four)
Top athletes: MF Ricardo Nunez (Jr.), F Maliq Cooper (Jr.), D Connor Malone (Jr.), GK Bryant Peralta (Sr.)
Outlook: The Gators lost 11 seniors from a team that made a run to the Sunrise Region championship match.
“We will be young, but we have a core of solid three-year players that will compete for another league title,” Rivera said. “We bring back the two-time goalkeeper of the year and three starters on the defensive line.
“We look forward to the challenges this season will bring.”
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LAS VEGAS
Head coach: Rafa Mitjans, first season
2013 record: 12-6-4 (7-2-1 Northeast, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (six)
Top athletes: MF Marc Sotelo (Sr.), GK Enrique Adame (Sr.), MF Danny Nunez (Sr.), F Alexis Barrios (Sr.), MF Efrain Pinal (Sr.), F Steve Moreno (Sr.), MF Axel Melchor (Sr.), GK Miguel Navarrete (Jr.), D Marco Carrillo (Sr.)
Outlook: Mitjans takes over a program that returns six starters.
“Las Vegas High School is looking to make the playoffs, and with hard work and discipline, we will try to make it to the championship game,” Mitjans said.
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LEGACY
Head coach: Jorge Cobian, second season
2013 record: 6-9-5 (4-4-2 Southwest, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Eight (six)
Top athletes: MF Abraham Acevedo (Sr.), D Felipe Diaz (Sr.), MF Daniel Mejia (Sr.), D Jorge Quinones (Jr.), F Jose Ramirez (Jr.), F/MF Luka Skrinjaric (Jr.)
Outlook: The Longhorns qualified for the playoffs last year and nearly knocked off eventual Sunset Region champion Palo Verde in the opening round.
“This year, the Longhorns are working hard to not fall short from going to state,” Cobian said. “The unity and chemistry of this year’s team is great. Our goal is state. More than half of our starters are coming back, and with the combination of last year’s strong junior varsity team, we should have a great season.”
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LIBERTY
Head coach: Wilfredo Rivera, first season
2013 record: 16-3-2 (8-1-1 Southeast, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (six)
Top athletes: D Adam Musovski (Sr.), MF Joey Hollimon (Jr.), MF Alex Camacho (Sr.), MF Oasis Dixon (Jr.), MF Parker Randall (Jr.)
Outlook: The Patriots are coming off a big season, but have to replace leading scorer Danny Musovski, who had 58 goals last year.
Adam Musovski (2 goals, 16 assists) and Hollimon (7 goals, 19 assists) both were All-Southern Nevada honorees last year, and Camacho (4 goals, 7 assists) earned all-league honors.
“Like all the other teams, our expectations are high, and the team is motivated with our upcoming challenges,” said Rivera, who steps up to the varsity after spending the last two years as the junior varsity coach. “With the Clark County School District’s new realignment structure, our hope is to make an immediate impact, as we continue our quest to a high seed in the playoffs.
“We may lack in depth, but our work ethic may just be what we need to make our run toward a state title. As always, only time will tell, and we do believe we have the faith to make this goal a reality.”
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MOAPA VALLEY
Head coach: Jared Bushman, third season
2013 record: 2-14-1 (1-11 Sunrise, sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (three)
Top athletes: MF T.C. Twelker (Sr.), MF Enrique Frias (Sr.), GK Zack King (Sr.)
Outlook: The Pirates struggled to be competitive last season, but are hoping for improvement this season.
“The team worked hard in the offseason,” Bushman said. “The skill level is higher, and the chemistry is better. This is a constantly improving group of players that hopefully will make some noise this year.”
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MOJAVE
Head coach: Rachal Huntsinger, seventh season
2013 record: 9-7-2 (8-5-1 Sunset, fourth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (seven)
Top athletes: D Cristopher Pulido (Sr.), F Antonio Perez (Jr.), F Bryan Alvarez (Sr.), MF Eduardo Luna (Jr.)
Outlook: Nine lettermen return for the Rattlers, who qualified for the postseason last year.
Pulido and Perez each scored eight goals last year, and Alvarez (six goals, five assists) and Luna (five goals, four assists) also could be offensive threats.
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PAHRUMP VALLEY
Head coach: Don Boulden, seventh season
2013 record: 7-10-2 (6-8 Sunset, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): 10 (seven)
Top athletes: C/MF Freddy Nunez (Sr.), F Nolan Tumor (Jr.), MF Aaron Alcarez (Sr.), MF Nick Nelson (Sr.), MF Kevin Pereira (Jr.), MF Adrian Maldonado (Sr.), D Joshua Mortensen (Sr.)
Outlook: The Trojans started well, but struggled down the stretch last year, losing their last five league games.
“Despite the immense agony of defeat felt by the coaching staff, players, classmates, parents and community, the team outlook is upbeat and positive for 2014,” Boulden said.
Seven returning starters should have the Trojans headed in the right direction. Plenty of offense returns in Nunez (11 goals, four assists), Tumor (11 goals, three assists), Nelson (nine goals, six assists) and Nelson (nine goals, five assists).
“Morale among boys soccer players in the highest in seven years,” Boulden said. “Soccer athletes who risked leaving the sport in 2013 in hopes of higher athletic achievement in other sports are returning to soccer tryouts.”
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PALO VERDE
Head coach: Garry Shackley, first season
2013 record: 20-1-1 (10-0 Northwest, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (three)
Top athletes: F Nolan Sherwood (Sr.), MF Austin Manthey (Sr.), MF/D Griffin Mallas (Sr.), MF Elijah Ruffer (Sr.), MF Connor Ryan (Sr.), MF Jaden Ketelsen (Sr.), D Cameron Patterson (Sr.), D Ben DeLeon (Sr.), GK Nishesh Yadav (Sr.)
Outlook: Shackley, the former coach at The Meadows, takes over a team that finished second in the state last year, but lost eight seniors to graduation.
“The squad has a number of top class upcoming seniors, most notably last season’s league MVP Nolan Sherwood,” Shackley said. “The team also has a number of surprise packages outside the senior class.
“We believe that this squad may be at least as strong as last year and hopes are high for a very successful season.”
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SHADOW RIDGE
Head coach: Travis Underwood, first season
2013 record: 10-6-7 (5-3-2 Northwest, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (six)
Top athletes: MF Dominic Damato (Jr.), GK Nate Kramer (Sr.), MF Tyler Lavoie (Sr.)
Outlook: The Mustangs return six starters from a team that advanced to the Sunset Region semifinals.
“With changes in leagues this year, Shadow is in one of the toughest groups in Southern Nevada,” Underwood said. “Every league game will be critical they play at the highest level.
“We look to achieve a playoff bid and have a deep run into playoffs.”
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SIERRA VISTA
Head coach: Ryan Quinn, 11th season
2013 record: 4-12-4 (3-5-2 Northwest, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Six (four)
Top athletes: MF Calvim Aguirre (So.), D Erick Candido (Sr.), MF Adam Felipe Dumo (So.), GK Alberto Vazquez (Sr.), F Luis Vazquez (Sr.), MF Joseph Pacheco (Sr.)
Outlook: The Mountain Lions narrowly missed a postseason appearance last year, finishing one point out of third place in the Northwest League.
The team returns only four starters.
“We are a young team that is looking to rebuild and gain experience this year,” Quinn said. “I feel that we still have a good chance at competing for a playoff spot in a tough league.”
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SILVERADO
Head coach: Terry Pryer, first season
2013 record: 4-7-5 (4-3-3 Northeast, fourth)
Top athletes: Antonio Sanchez, Chris Stang, Maurico Cristales
Outlook: Pryer, the former coach at Valley, takes over a team that finished fourth in the Northeast League last year.
“We have a young team with a few good returning players,” Pryer said. “Early indications are we have good chemistry and we should be vying for a playoff spot.”
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SPRING VALLEY
Head coach: James Tippett, third season
2013 record: 4-13-1 (1-8-1 Northwest, sixth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Ten (eight)
Top athletes: F Tyson Perkins (Sr.), MF Andrew Bustios (Sr.), MF Sergio Borboa (Sr.), F Denis Tayou (Sr.), MF Julio Coizeau (Sr.), MF Jose Lopez (So.), D David VanHoose (So.)
Outlook: The Grizzlies struggled to find success last season, but return eight starters and should be in better position to compete.
“Even though we have been moved down a division, I know that the level of soccer remains high,” Tippett said. “Our expectations this year are the same as each year before. We want to make the playoffs and make our community proud by playing the beautiful game to the best of our ability.”
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SUNRISE MOUNTAIN
Head coach: Brett Underwood, sixth season
2013 record: 11-6-2 (7-3-2 Sunrise, third)
Returning lettermen (starters): Twelve (seven)
Top athletes: MF Enrique Pedraza (Sr.), F Jose Arreola (So.), GK Carlos Cruz (Sr.)
Outlook: The Miners bring back 12 lettermen from last year’s Division I-A state runner-up team.
Arreola had six goals and four assists, and joins Pedraza (five goals, seven assists) in sparking the offense. Cruz registered six shutouts last season.
“Sunrise Mountain lost quite a bit of seniors, so we are a very young team,” Underwood said. “It will be a challenge to try to duplicate our last season. I feel our boys are ready for it, and we hope to be playing in November.”
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TECH
Head coach: Josh Jones, 16th season
2013 record: 19-5-4 (9-2-1 Sunrise, second)
Returning lettermen (starters): Thirteen (six)
Top athletes: D Jurain Villa (Sr.), F Fabian Vera (Sr.), D/MF Damian Vera (Sr.), MF Adolfo Guzman (Sr.), F Francisco Garcia (Jr.), D Eduardo Sanchez (Jr.), GK Tyler Harvey (Jr.)
Outlook: The Roadrunners bring back 13 lettermen from last year’s Division I-A state championship team, but lost six big contributors to graduation.
Garcia had seven goals and four assists last season, and he and the other returnees will be asked to contribute more this year.
“The Roadrunners do have 13 players with varsity experience, but are young in several key positions,” Jones said. “If the pieces come together, they should be able to make another strong playoff run.”
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VALLEY
Head coach: Angel Pantaleon, second season
2013 record: 7-10-1 (4-5-1 Northeast, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Nine (eight)
Top athletes: F Eric Sanchez (Sr.), MF/F Marco Gonzales (So.)
Outlook: The Vikings narrowly missed the postseason last year, finishing just two points behind fourth-place Silverado in the Northeast League.
“We expect to do better than last year,” Pantaleon said.
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VIRGIN VALLEY
Head coach: Michael Pletzke, second season
2013 record: 9-9-3 (4-6-2 Sunrise, fifth)
Returning lettermen (starters): Twelve (nine)
Top athletes: MF Gabe Medina (Sr.), F Moi Medina (Jr.), D Uli Flores (Jr.), F Efren Rodriguez (Jr.), D Sergio Pacheco (Sr.), D Geysson Murillo (Sr.), D Raphael DeSantiago (Jr.)
Outlook: The Bulldogs were young and struggled to find consistency last year, but with nine starters back, the team should be in better position to compete in the Sunrise League.
“Our core group is returning from last year,” Pletzke said. “Our mental maturity should be much improved over last season, and hopefully we can earn a spot in the playoffs.
“It will be an exciting season to see what we can actually accomplish when the players have the correct mindset. We have the ability, now can we put it to good use?”
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WESTERN
Head coach: Robert Feller, second season
2013 record: 12-3-3 (11-0-3 Sunset, first)
Returning lettermen (starters): 12 (four)
Top athletes: F Bruno Aleman (Sr.), D Sergio Anaya (Sr.), MF Eduardo Arellano (Sr.)
Outlook: Since moving to the Division I-A Sunset League prior to the 2012-13 season, the Warriors have gone 22-0-6 in league play.
Returning just four starters, though, will make keeping the undefeated streak intact difficult.
“We expect to be a contender for a third straight No. 1 seed for the Sunset League in the postseason,” Feller said. “With the addition of two more good programs in our league, the competition will be ratcheted up.”
