Boys soccer: Remember the Mustangs

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - The Costa Mesa High boys soccer team is out to prove

the Mustangs are not one-hit wonders. With all the surprising success

last year, which included the school’s first outright league title, some

might think the Mustangs are a bit of a fad. But that is not the case.

“Personally, I think we’re a better team this year than last year,”

Costa Mesa Coach Eugene Day said. “It’s like we never lost a beat, but we

just have to relax and put it all together. We’re favored to repeat (as

Pacific Coast League champions). We just have to relax and play our own

game.”

Day’s emphasis on relaxing comes with much reason at this point in the

season, Mesa is 1-1. He said the Mustangs are playing with too much

nervousness, perhaps because they are expected to repeat.

Sure, they lost Trinidad Hernandez, the PCL co-Most Valuable Player,

but with a strong class of newcomers and some solid returners,

understanding Day’s confidence becomes easier.

Senior forward Eli Solis, a PCL first-team player, will lead the

Mustangs’ offensive attack, which features a unique blend of passing en

route to charging the opponent’s net. Fellow seniors midfielder Socrates

Cruz and sweeper Steven Thomas also return with honors, both with second

team PCL laurels,and Thomas also earned second team All-CIF Division IV

recognition.

Last year, the Mustangs won the PCL with a 14-6-1 overall record and

made a second-roundappearance in the CIF Southern Section Division IV

playoffs.

“Last year’s experience was a growing one because I introduced a style

of play they never had,” Day said. “We have lots of weapons where we can

change things around at any time. We still have the speed. You need that

speed in high school soccer.”

The speed is featured in the midfield, where Cruz, senior Ricardo Luna

and freshman hotshot Alfredo Pineda take charge. Thomas leads the speed

on defense, and senior Spenser Solomon and junior Tyler Waldron also

contribute with their quick feet.

Senior goalie Bryce Sheridan is back as the starting keeper, while

seniors Chasen Marshall, Billy Lund and Arturo Vasquez also support the

defense.

“Our goal is to eat what’s in front of us and move on to the next

one,” Day said. “That’s all we have to worry about. Most people don’t

understand that Northwood will be strong this year. They are returning

everyone. Even in terms of that, last year we battled them very well.”

COSTA MESA HIGH BOYS SOCCER

Alfonso Pineda Fr.

Miguel Luna So.

David Barnett So.

Hector Hernandez So.

Tyler Waldron Jr.

Christian Lopez Jr.

Eli Solis Sr.

Socrates Cruz Sr.

Mike Gardiner Sr.

Billy Lund Sr.

Chasen Marshall Sr.

Kevin Alexander Sr.

Bryce Sheridan Sr.

Solomon Spenser Sr.

Arturo Vasquez Sr.

Steven Thomas Sr.

Brian Zing Sr.

Ricardo Luna Sr.

Irwin Salas Sr.

Coach: Eugene Day