Men’s soccer: Lions looking for support

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - There are 18 players on this year’s Vanguard

University men’s soccer team.

No, really, there are.

“We’re starting the season a little shorthanded,” VU assistant coach

Fred Goff said. “We only have two returning starters from last year so

everyone is still learning on the fly around here.”

The Lions completed the 2000 season 10-5-1 and qualified for the GSAC

playoffs. The talent is there, despite the youth-heavy squad.

Leading that talent pool is junior Tomas Serna. The Santa Ana College

transfer was the Community College Male Athlete of the Year after he

helped guide the Dons to the state title.

“This is a young man with a bright future,” Goff said. “He could play

in the MLS right now, he’s that good. But he wants to get his education

and perhaps even be a coach. He’s showing that by the work he’s done with

the freshmen.”

Joining Serna up front will be 6-foot-3 freshman Matt Hess, who scored

the Lions’ lone goal in their opening 4-1 loss to Cal State Dominguez

Hills.

The Lions’ midfield will be led by senior Matt Swift and Estancia High

standout Armando Ortiz.

“Armando is very mature for being only a freshman,” Goff said. “He’s

got a ton of major soccer experience, so he’s not rattled by any of this.

He’s used to playing at a high level.”

Defensively, the Lions will rely on senior captain Michael Murphy

(Orange Coast College), sophomore Ryan Sullivan and junior Oscar Reitz to

carry a majority of the responsibility.

“Michael is the unsung hero of this team,” Goff said. “He’s our gnat.

We find the other team’s best scorer and we put Michael on him. Last

year, Michael gave up only one goal against the other team’s best

players, which is remarkable. He’s as solid as they come.”

Goalkeepers Tommaso Bianchi and Duke Burchell (Newport Harbor) will

compete for the starting job, but with the Lions shorthanded, Burchell

has seen some work in the field as well.

“Duke is a nut,” Goff said. “

VANGUARD UNIVERSITY MEN’S SOCCER

00 Duke Burchell GK 6-1 Fr.

01 Tommaso Bianchi GK 6-0 Fr.

2 Ricky Wade M 5-10 So.

3 Michael Murphy D/M 5-6 Sr.

5 Beau Lawson M 5-7 So.

6 Matthew Hearn M 6-0 Sr.

7 Christian Diaz M 5-7 Jr.

8 Tyler Schones M/D 5-8 So.

9 Matthew Hess F 6-3 Fr.

10 Armando Ortiz M 5-5 Fr.

11 Ryan Sullivan D 6-1 So.

13 Oscar Retiz D/M 5-9 Jr.

14 Zach Sadler D 5-11 So.

15 Jonathan Olinger M 5-11 Fr.

16 Thomas Draxler M 6-2 Fr.

17 Carlos Rangel D 6-1 Jr.

18 Matt Swift M 6-0 Sr.

20 Tomas Serna F 6-1 Jr.

Coach - Dave McLeish