Ocean title should be battle to the end

The 2005-06 season opens today with El Camino at San Mateo, Aragon at South City, Carlmont at Mills and Half Moon Bay at Jefferson. All games are scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Terra Nova has a bye.

The following is a look at the league and the team's expectations for this season.

Aragon

Second-year coach Forest Brazil is expecting big things from this season's Dons' squad.

"We have a lot of people that could have breakout years ..." Brazil said. "The whole team, in general, has gotten accustomed to everyone. It's not too far of a stretch to compete for that first or second spot for promotion (to the Bay Division next season)."

Aragon's midfield should be a strength with two seniors -- Charlie Goss and Roberto Diaz -- controlling the middle and distributing the ball. Goss is more of a grinder, an aggressive player that Brazil expects to win a lot of balls. Diaz is the possession midfielder.

"He's a really skillful dribbler," Brazil said.

Junior Ramon Padilla is one of the Don's most versatile players. Brazil said he can play Padilla at a number of positions.

"Right now, he's our sweeper," Brazil said. "He's amazing with the ball."

Senior forwards Dario Tejo and Jeff Barrera have been working together since their sophomore seasons and Brazil expects big things from them.

The Dons' biggest question mark is in goal. Paul Velasco and Mario Regla are charged with the task of replacing two-time Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Barton, now playing at Colgate.

Carlmont

The Scots were moved to the Ocean Division this season after struggling in the Bay last year.

But with 13 returning players and a number of three-year starters, the Scots should challenge for an Ocean Division title this season.

Not that coach Jason Selli is looking that far ahead.

"I'm trying not to look forward," Selli said. "In the past, we talked about the playoffs and winning championships. We briefly talked about it at the beginning of the season, but our goal is to play our best game whenever we take the field."

Senior Froylan Roldan, a midfielder and striker, is one of the smoothest, technical players in the league. Not only can he distribute the ball but he can run past defenses if they don't keep an eye on him. Jeff Bowman is another three-year starter in the midfielder. He's the guy that does a lot of the dirty work -- winning balls, playing rugged defense -- but also has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net.

"He's got great ball control, incredible vision on the field," Selli said.

Forward Danny Cotter is a target forward -- a big player up front who can win balls in the air and a good finisher. Goalkeeper Mark Borden, another three-year player, gives the Scots a solid leader in the back.

El Camino

The Colts took their lumps in the Bay Division last season, but are looking to make a return after this season.

They've compiled a 2-2 record in the preseason, playing "A" league teams.

"(We're looking to) compete for a title this year," said coach Ken Anderson. "As long as we can stay away from the injury bug."

The Colts have already suffered a big loss when captain Gabe Quintero broke his leg earlier this month. He's going to miss at least six weeks. His loss, however, has given some other players to show Anderson what they can do.

The Colts still have senior midfielder Steven Renz, a four-year player who Anderson believes will play in college.

"He sets the table for everybody," Anderson said.

Amer Ghith complements Renz's offensive ability from the defensive midfielder role.

"We played well recently because of those two players," Anderson said.

Eric Graham will also help out in the midfield. He is the possession player of the three midfielders.

"He's going to settle the ball for us this year," Anderson said.

Angel Castro, a junior central defender, anchors the defense and will be a key supporter for sophomore goalkeeper Chris Anies. It's Anies' first year at the varsity level but he has surprised Anderson. In the last three games, Anies allowed only two goals.

"I was kind of hesitant at first (putting him in there) but that's all we had," Anderson said. "But he's done a great job for us."

Joining Castro on the back line will be Aaron McNabb, who is taking over for his brother Ryan, a four-year varsity starter.

Half Moon Bay

The Cougars are loaded this season, returning eight starters from last season and adding a dangerous forward.

Coach Tony Parreiria doesn't mince words on what he expects this season.

"Like I told my kids, I will not accept anything but a league championship this year," Parreiria said. "Last year we were within seven points of (Ocean Division champion) Hillsdale. I don't see why we can't do it this year."

Parreiria is especially excited about the arrival of sophomore forward Juan Carrilo. Parreiria suggests Carrilo is the type of player opposing teams should consider double-teaming.

"He's unbelievable," Parreiria said. "He's going to open things up a lot. Last year, we lacked a finisher. A lot of goals came from the midfield. This kid can actually put it away."

The midfield is anchored by Luis Martinez and Ernie Castaneda. Martinez is the defensive midfielder while Castaneda is more offensive minded.

Oscar Rodriguez moved from the midfield to the right fullback spot. It's not something Rodriguez was keen on doing, but is willing to do it for the team.

"We were really low on outside fullbacks," Parreiria said.

The goalkeeping situation is an interesting one. Last year's starter, Pedro Baccera is still playing running back/defensive lineman -on the football team. In his stead, Marco Haro has emerged as a genuine prospect.

"He said he played a little bit of goalkeeper before," Parreiria said. "From the way he's been practicing, he's been playing goalkeeper (for a long time). He's doing really well."

Mills

The Vikings are one of those teams that always sticks around in a title quest. All coach Tim Keller wants to do is keep his team in the chase early and make a move late in the season.

"Like everybody else, I hope the guys are in it when it comes to January and February," Keller said. "You just want to have that chance to win a championship at the end."

Senior forward Matt Waterman emerged as one of the top goal scorers in the league last year and Keller expects more of the same this season. Joining Waterman up top is junior Lucas Hagberg who started last year as a sophomore.

"He's gotten a lot stronger," Keller said of Hagberg. "His shot has more strength than last year."

Craig Dillie, a junior, will man an outside midfield position, running the wing in hopes of serving balls to Waterman and Hagberg.

"He's a bit stronger with the ball," Keller said. "A general workhorse."

Faisal Attrache, a senior who was brought up to the varsity team halfway through his sophomore season, will anchor the defense as well as serve as the Vikings' leader on the field.

"I expect him to take charge out there," Keller said. "He did that last year as a junior."

San Mateo

With five returning starters, Bearcats coach Kurt Devlin believes he has the talent to vie for one of the top spots in the Ocean Division.

"We have a chance to be in the top four but we have to be a hard-working team that needs to manufacture goals," Devlin said.

If Jose Amaya can handle the pressure of being "the man" the senior midfielder has the skill to be one of the top players in the league.

"I expect him to be a playmaker and a goal scorer," Devlin said.

Devlin believes the strength of his team is the back line where three seniors are charged with keeping the ball out of the net. Taka Kawakatsu is a three-year varsity player who can shut down the opposition's forwards. Devlin would like to see him add an offensive threat to his game.

"He's been a solid defender the last three years for us," Devlin said. "Hopefully we get a little more out of him this year. I want to see him create something going forward."

Flanking Kawakatsu are seniors Walter Martinez and Steve Diamond. Those three, along with Amaya, standout, Devlin said, because they play club soccer.

The Bearcat midfield should be pretty solid as well with Leonel Mijangos and Michael Jaron. Devlin like's Jaron's energy but wants his develop more subtlety to his game in an attempt to jump-start the attack.

"[Jaron's] a hard-working guy. He brings a lot of energy to the game," Devlin said. "That's what I like about him most."

South City

Former Aragon girls' co-coach Anthony Dimech takes over a Warriors' program that hasn't had a winning season in 10 years.

Dimech hopes to change that.

"We're just trying to get a winning attitude this year," Dimech said, a former standout player for Burlingame in the 1990s. "We're looking to build a program now. They've had some instability the last few years. I'll be around for a while."

The same could be said of the South City team. Dimech said in a non-league game against Burlingame, the Warriors had only two seniors and a junior on the field, meaning the younger players should have a chance to grow into better players and a better teams over the next couple of years.

Freshman forward Aldo Castro has scored two of the Warriors' three pre-season goals while senior forward Filiberto Fuentes has factored into all three goals.

"He has the ability to change the game for us," Dimech said of Fuentes.

Anchoring the middle of the field will be senior Alfonso Vieyra, who Dimech describes as "our engine in the center half."

Although only a sophomore, midfielder Rich Luna has been named captain by Dimech.

"He's pretty good. He works hard and does everything I ask of him," Dimech said. "He's dedicated to moving our team forward."

Terra Nova

Tigers coach Ernie Brockmeyer is familiar with most of the players on his team, having coached them throughout their youth soccer playing days.

Because of that, he has set high goals for his team, knowing what kind of skill each player has and what they bring to the team.

"I'm looking to make CCS," Brockmeyer said. "I think it's our best chance. I'm not saying we have the best players but they play well together. I'm looking for an above-average season."

Two seniors will help control the middle of the field for the Tigers. Sweeper Ryan Smith and center midfielder Bradley Kotlar are both four-year varsity players and both play on high-level club teams.

Joining the two seniors are two freshmen forwards -- Paulo and Pedro Mendes. Originally from Brazil, the two have combined for six of seven pre-season goals for Terra Nova.

"Last year we struggled with scoring," Brockmeyer said. "I look at us hopefully scoring a lot of goals this year. I wasn't exactly sure how they would do against [older, varsity players], but they're very aggressive and their ball control is excellent."<