If yearly awards were handed out for hard-luck teams, the El
Molino varsity soccer squad would have won hands down the past few
seasons.
It seems the Lions have given the opposition all it can handle,
but have caught very few breaks along the way. Last season was a
typical one for El Molino, who played outstanding soccer at times,
but finished the season with just a couple of wins.
The team has a new look this year under first-year varsity and
former JV coach Dan Calmeyer, who takes over for veteran George
Wells.
Although the Lions will feature just two returning seniors after
losing most of their players to graduation last year, they will
return a solid core of six key veterans to carry the torch.
“Losing a large number of players from a team that went winless
in league last year is certainly going to be a challenge, but we’re
looking for some fresh faces to emerge as leaders,” said Calmeyer.
“We’re certainly going to have a number of growing pains, but we
think we can play some good soccer if we can come together as a
team.”
The Lions will be led by returning junior three-year starter
Chris Hennen, one of the most talented and dangerous scoring
threats in the league.
He’ll be joined by junior goalie Easton Palmer, senior
midfielder Ryan Affleck, senior defender Justin Auch, junior
midfielder Miguel Rodriguez, junior midfielder Julian Bauer, senior
midfielder Rueben Alvarez, senior midfielders Mauricio Gutierrez
and Jose Puga, senior forwards David Lopez and Josh Hoener.
Other players figuring to make a big impact are: junior
midfielder Martin Newman, junior forward Brayan Romero, junior
midfielder Andrew Pacheco, junior defender Warren Capurro,
sophomore defenders Will Plaugher, Mitch Parsons, and Saul Onofre,
freshman midfielder Connor Hennen, and freshman forward Jose
Valentin.
The Lions will hit the road this weekend for the annual
McKinleyville Tournament, and kick off the league campaign at home
against Sonoma on Friday, Sept. 11.
