2014 Palo Verde Boys Soccer Capsule

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.”