The local scholastic boys soccer scene figures to be a kick for several teams.
At La Jolla High, new head coach Daniel Berthiaume and the Vikings look to return to the CIF playoffs.
According to Berthiaume, key players this winter will include junior central midfieder Trevor Fox and sophomore forward Joey Matibag.
“The outlook on the season is promising, seeing as how we have started the season 4-1-1 and are getting stronger with every game we play together,”
Berthiaume noted, “It is a young team with a lot of potential, and hopefully we can peak toward the end of the season and win a difficult league as well as give the CIF playoffs a good run.”
At the neighboring Bishop’s School, head coach Malcolm Tovey and the Knights got their season off to a good start by winning the Coronado Tournament, beating Madison 2-0, University City 3-1, El Cajon 6-0, and La Jolla Country Day School 2-1 in the semis. Bishop’s topped La Jolla 1-0 in the title game.
Heading into this week, Bishop’s reached the semifinals of the Francis Parker Tournament, having beaten Preuss 2-0 and Holtville 6-0. The Knights will meet rival La Jolla High on Thursday at La Jolla High.
Key returnees for the Knights this season include League MVP Pete Semmer, Fred Semmer, Brandon Busch, Scott Rogers, Tim Costello and Will Peck Jr.
Tovey feels this squad has the potential and ability to compete for the league title and possibly the CIF crown.
At University City High, new head coach Rick Flores and the Centurions look to make advancement in the CIF’s. UC finished 13-4-3 last winter, reaching the CIF semis. Key players this year will include senior midfielder Shawn Nicklaw and senior sweeper/midfielder Jared Kukura.
“We have strong, confident players who are coming together,” Flores said. “Once we develop team chemistry, they will do well. We should be one of the stronger teams this year and hold our own.”
UC plays at San Marcos Dec. 18.
Several local scholastic girls soccer teams also hope to give the competition the boot this winter.
At The Bishop’s School, head coach Brian Quinn and the Lady Knights finished 14-5-1 a season ago, making the CIF semifinals.
Key players this season look to be Sarah Bromley, Stevie Griglak, Lindsey Holman-Kelley, Natalie Wheeler, Annie Kadota and Chelsea Wilkerson.
“This year’s team has set as one of their goals to be a better-playing soccer team,” Quinn said. “They realize to achieve this they must have better touch on the ball, better understanding of the game itself and are aware that it is only collectively that they will succeed.”
Bishop’s tangles with La Costa Canyon at home on Friday, Dec. 15.
At La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School, the Lady Torreys and head coach Dave Jenkins finished last winter as the Division IV and Coastal South League champions, posting a record of 14-1-3. LJCD graduated 10 seniors last year.
Key players this year include co-captains and seniors Kate Hummel and Lorin Jenkins. Returning juniors are midfielder Allison Dorr, keeper Jessica Hershfield and striker/defender Cody Saleh. Sophomore Sierra Ferreira returns as a central midfielder after missing last season due to a broken leg.
“We certainly don’t have the depth we had last year, but we’ve got a solid group of girls who should be competitive in Coastal South,” Dave Jenkins commented.
At La Jolla High, the Lady Vikings finished 6-11-1 a season ago for head coach Kristin Jones.
This season, La Jolla was participating in last week’s Baron’s Tournament and had jumped out to a 4-0 start on the 2006-07 campaign.
Key players this season look to include Dana Hoolko (First-team All-Western League last year), Alysia Barone (three-year starter in goal), Cameron Smith (Second-team All Western League), Nihal Kayali and Maddie Smith.
“This season is already head and shoulders above last year,” Jones noted. “The girls have a different outlook. They do not just want to compete in every game but they are out to win. We have the potential to turn some heads with victories. It may be a shock to the soccer community ” winning games and upsetting a few ‘powerhouses’ is what we expect to do this year and ultimately finishing high in the league standings.”
” Editor’s note: La Jolla Country Day School did not respond to requests for information on its boys squad.