Talented boys’ soccer team sees no limits this year

Hanging from the walls of the Large Gym are banners commemorating the school’s CCS champions in sports like tennis and football. But none hangs for boys’ soccer—something a talented boys’ soccer team thinks it has a chance of fixing this year.

The team will be led by head coach Adam Clarke, who is entering his third year at the helm. The team came in second place with a final record of 5-4-3 and qualified for CCS last year. In the first round of CCS they faced Live Oak and suffered a 1-0 loss.

“Last year’s CCS loss was disappointing and we just have to train hard this year and hope to get a better result,” senior center back and team captain Manish Raghavan said.

Mountain View placed first in the De Anza League last year and was a tough opponent to compete with, but the Falcons plan to train hard to knock off competitors like the Spartans.

While last year’s first round CCS loss was a disappointment, the Falcons are more competitive than ever this year with 10 seniors returning and a skillful junior class including center midfielders Fred Feyzi and Amin Mirzadegan to bolster a position where the team has struggled last season.

“Anyone that makes the varsity team this year definitely deserves it. There’s just so many good seniors, juniors and even sophomores trying out this year,” Raghavan said.

The Falcons will rely on the play of a talented senior class led by Raghavan, center midfielders Jonathan Junqua and Rajiv Ramakabir and forward Troy Doles, who will be fully recovered from a leg injury he sustained during football in time for the start of the season. Other players major contributors figure to be sophomores Nikhil Goel and twins Sam and Will Guy.

The team this year could also benefit from the addition of freshman Samuel Junqua, who plays for the San Jose Earthquakes Youth Academy. His inclusion depends on the Academy’s willingness to allow him to play for the school since it could conflict with his duties for the Academy team.

“It would be a fun experience to play for the school, not to mention getting out of P.E., but I’m just not sure whether or not I can play,” Samuel Junqua said.

If all goes according to plan, the team could win the De Anza League and be a team to beat late in the year.

“I think we have the potential to win everything including CCS,” Raghavan said.