Underclassmen on boys’ soccer step up to help recover from a loss of depth from graduation

As senior captain and midfielder Mohit Gandluru sprinted down the field, he received a pass outside the opposing team’s box and volleyed the ball into the back of the net, putting the Falcons ahead 2-1 against Homestead on Nov. 17. By the end of the game, the scoreboard read 3-2, kicking the boys’ soccer team’s preseason off to a good start. 

According to junior right back Justin Choi, the game felt close at times but they were able to take advantage of scoring opportunities when they had possession of the ball. After only one official game, the team is more confident in their abilities going into the season. 

As the year begins, Gandluru has concerns about the depth within the team due to the loss of many experienced upperclassmen, although Choi pointed out that this year’s team chemistry is already a visible strength. A key factor of the existing chemistry is that the new head coach this season, Conor McGoldrick, is familiar with the team already from his experience as their assistant coach last season. 

As the preseason comes to an end, the team has a scrimmage against Lincoln on Dec. 12 and their first league game against Wilcox on Dec 15 (The Falcon didn’t cover these games in the print issue because of printing deadlines). With more than three weeks in between games, the team was able to focus their efforts onto improvement.

“Most of our defense played together last year so we have chemistry already established,” Choi said. “However, our attacking side will take a little longer to adjust since they haven’t played together, coming from different club teams.”

Despite these offensive challenges, the team is hopeful for the season as many players have stepped up to fill important roles on the team.

After the loss of the team’s two goalies — Class of `23 alumnus Nathan Lim to graduation and junior Samanyu Ram, who is now focusing on his main sport of baseball — sophomore Orion Tamas King has stepped up this season as the varsity team’s goalie with a year of experience on JV last year. 

Throughout King’s childhood of playing soccer for various clubs such as Force and West Valley United, he has been playing the role of keeper. After a few weeks of practice, King has been able to adjust to the difference in intensity levels between club and high school, starting in both games against Homestead and the alumni game on Nov. 24.

“There was initially a bit of pressure [moving up to varsity], but the whole team has been very nice and supportive, even coaching me at times when I’m doing things wrong,” King said. “I’m looking forward to improving my own skills and going all out while being the last line of defense.”

Alongside King, sophomore midfielder Matthias Casanova has also taken a large role on the team. Casanova has reached one of the highest club soccer levels for high school students — Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). After the loss of key players due to graduation, the added talents of Casanova and Major League Soccer (MLS) player and DI Navy commit senior Yul Hong has created a strong offensive lineup for the team.

“It’s been a pleasure to play with the [talented upperclassmen], and having that type of talent on the team makes the game more fun and the chemistry [between the team] easier to build,” Casanova said.

As the Falcons come together to build on their younger talent, the common goal of the players is to continue their successes in the league, which has been a struggle in the previous few years. 

“We’ve had a history of starting out strong and fading out towards the end of the season and that’s going to be one of the biggest things that we’re looking to fix,” Gandluru said. “I think we’re definitely shooting for finishing towards the top of the league and pushing for CCS.”