A number of scholastic boys soccer teams have kicked off their new seasons.
La Jolla High reached the CIF quarterfinals last season, losing to Cathedral Catholic for head coach Dan Berthiaume.
Key players this season should include midfielder Trevor Fox, defender/forward Gator Halpern, defender Marcus Matibag, forward/midfielder Joey Matibag and goalie Austin Miller.
“This year we should be in the hunt for the top of our league (Western) as well as CIF playoffs,” Berthiaume commented. “Our key players from last year are returners this year and will definitely have a big impact on our success.”
La Jolla has started this season off at 2-0, with wins over Santa Fe Christian and Eastlake.
At La Jolla Country Day School, head coach Jerry Fleischhacker and the Torreys were 17-6-4 a season ago (5-3 Coastal South).
Top returning players include midfielders Adam Saven, Colin Young, Case Thomson and Alex Fleischhacker; sweeper Darren Blake; defenders Alex Poyhonen, Mason Boxer-Capitano and Jake Eliasberg; and forward Zach Wolfenzen. Top newcomers include midfielder Hunter Khaleghi, forward Travis Golia, goalie Kyle Reese and defender/midfielder Alistair Dobke.
“If the goalkeeping situation is solved by Reese, or anybody else, we could be a top contender in Coastal South and CIF,” Fleischhacker said. “This is a very small team and we may struggle early until the multi-sport athletes rejoin the team.”
The Bishop’s School finished 22-2-2 a season ago, capturing the Coastal League crown.
The Knights are in action next Tuesday, Dec. 11 when they host El Cajon Valley.
” Editor’s note: The Bishop’s School did not provide information for this article.