Boys’ soccer: Team hopes to replace Yu’s scoring punch

November 16, 2017 — by Sandhya Sundaram

Team transitions to new style of playing after losing key striker. 

After placing second in the league and making it to CCS last year, the team must overcome the loss of key players who graduated and work together with their new additions.

Last year, the team heavily relied on star striker Kevin Yu who scored 25 goals. This year, the team is planning to make up for this loss by placing junior Charles Debling in the same position.

“When we were on the field and we’d get the ball, the first thing we’d do is look out to him, pass him the ball and hope that he’d score a goal somehow,” senior forward Solomon Bailey said.

This year, the team must work on maintaining their possession of the ball instead of solely relying on one player.

Another disadvantage they face is the relatively small size of the players.

“We’re going to be knocked around on the field so before we start the season, we’ve got to go to the gym and work out,” Bailey said.

Regardless of these challenges, senior center back Sahm Rafati  is confident in the team’s abilities.

I think our team is still pretty well matched with other teams so we should have a chance of making CCS,” Rafati said.

 
 

Head Coach: Chris Stott

2016-2017 Record: Overall: 10-2-3 League: 8-2-2

2016-2017 Recap: The team had a successful season, placing second in the El Camino League, relying on senior starters.

Key Additions: senior defender Alec Kruka, senior goalkeeper Neil Rao, junior midfielder Kick Poelmann

Key Matchups: Los Gatos (Dec. 11), Gunn (Jan. 12, Feb. 2)

Star Players: senior forward Solomon Bailey, senior midfielders Jack Isacke and Keon Roohparvar, senior goalkeeper Neil Rao and junior striker Charles Debling

Key Losses (graduated athletes): Kevin Yu, Brennan Wu and Jonathan Yun

League: El Camino League  

 

 

2 views this week