RIO WEST 2017 BOYS SOCCER CAPSULES
BERNALILLO SPARTANS Coach: Anthony Jaramillo (4th year) Last season: 8-11; lost to Monte del Sol in 1A-4A first round Key players: Sean Evanko, sr., MF; Emiliano Leal, sr., FW; Daniel Gutierrez, sr., D; Diego Garcia, jr., D; Kevin Silva, soph., MF/FW.
Outlook: Led by Leal, a returning first-team all-district player, the Spartans hope they can take the next step and advance to Week 2 of the state tournament this fall. Jaramillo said if his side can learn how to close out games and finish — which hampered Bernalillo a year ago — the Spartans can get back to state and, who knows, perhaps even get a chance to host in the first round. Only three seniors graduated from last year’s group.
BOSQUE SCHOOL BOBCATS Coach: Jason Cloyes (2nd year)
Last season: 13-8-2; lost to Santa Fe Prep in 1A-4A championship game
Key players: Kolten Baca, sr., FW; Joey Witiuk, sr., FW; Evan Pino, sr., MF; Trey Sturdevant, sr., MF; Chase Cates, sr., utility.
Outlook: The Bobcats rode a hot second half into the state final last November, but only two starters are back from that team as Bosque has a new lineup and, Cloyes said, a new system. He didn’t want to say Bosque was rebuilding, especially since his predecessor, Klaus Weber, really never did that. The trick for Cloyes this fall will be to slot the pieces together in the right way and hope the Bobcats’ young newcomers mature at a rapid pace.
CIBOLA COUGARS Coach: Cameron Clarke (5th year)
Last season: 10-9; lost to Valley in 6A first round
Key players: Shea Cosper, sr., MF; Matt Berlint, jr., FW; Dustin Michalk, sr., D; Chance Ford, sr., MF; Dominic Sanchez, jr., MF; Evan Hummel, jr., MF.
Outlook: After his brother Michael took over the team last year as he rehabbed from a serious neck/spinal injury, Cameron Clarke is back to lead the Cougars. This is a strong, veteran team (seven starters returning), and the only early issue is Cibola’s goalkeeping, where three athletes are vying to become the No. 1 in net. Berlint’s 14 goals were a team high last year, and he’ll be crucial for the Cougars this season. This Cibola roster is highly motivated, and wants to welcome Clarke back in style with a strong season. CLEVELAND STORM Coach: Shaun Gill (9th year)
Last season: 16-6; lost to Sandia in 6A quarterfinals
Key players: Sean Richter, sr., FW; Marshall Stribling, sr., MF; Micah Mahboub, sr., D; Jake Lent-Koop, jr., D; Gabriel Legendre, soph., FW; Ryan Watson, jr., GK.
Outlook: The Storm is coming off a terrific 2016 season, and there are a few coaches who really like Cleveland’s chances to advance deep into the 2017 playoffs. Gill said the defense was solidified in the offseason, and Watson gives Cleveland a top stopper in net. This team is loaded with players who have postseason experience; all that is left for them to do in their careers is learn how to put together a playoff run. Richter, with 16 goals, led this team in that department last season and was one of 6A’s leading scorers. RIO RANCHO RAMS Coach: John Shepard (16th year) Last season: 10-10 Key players: Garrett Velasquez, sr., GK; Evan Lau, sr., GK; Anthony Velasquez, sr., utility; Connor Benedict, sr., MF; P.J. Narvaez, sr., FW; Duncan McLeod, jr., D.
Outlook: The Rams were basically the first team left out of the 12-team playoff field in 6A last year, and that didn’t sit well, especially since it was a district tiebreaker that basically cost them a shot. This will be a fairly young, inexperienced team largely lacking in varsity minutes, and in Rio Rancho’s brutally tough district (1-6A), Shepard hopes this team jells quickly, in order to make a push in the second half of the season. ST. PIUS SARTANS Coach: A.J. Herrera (3rd year)
Last season: 14-9-1; lost to Albuquerque Academy in 5A championship game
Key players: David Sanchez, sr., D; Julian Garcia, sr., FW; Alex Nana, sr., MF; Adam Armijo, sr., MF; Seth Matteucci, jr., GK. Outlook: You will find a lot of takers on St. Pius’ position as the favorite to win the Class 5A title in November. The Sartans return nine starters, and this is a hungry, experienced team after being largely comprised of underclassmen in Herrera’s first two seasons on the West Side with his alma mater. It’s also a very well balanced squad at each level, led by Matteucci in goal. Herrera loves his team’s ability in the midfield and up top to create scoring chances.
VALLEY VIKINGS Coach: Orlando Ramirez (1st year) Last season: 13-6-1; lost to Albuquerque High in 6A quarterfinals
Key players: Johnny Baros, jr., FW/MF; Luis Guerrero, sr., FW; Miguel Ramirez, sr., MF; Jose Marrufo, sr., MF; Daniel Tena, sr., GK; Ben Girlamo, sr., D.
Outlook: The Vikings were one of 2016’s pleasant surprises, and they are back looking for more. Baros was the 4-6A player of the year last season, and a first-team All-State forward who was second in 6A in goals and points a year ago. Junior Daniel Lopez was the team’s second-leading goal scorer after Baros; he, Baros and Marrufo could be a formidable trio in the offensive zone. So this will be an explosive team building off the back. Ramirez, the 30-yearold new coach, is a Las Cruces High product with many years coaching club here in the metro area.
VOLCANO VISTA HAWKS Coach: Billy Thiebaut (10th year)
Last season: 15-4-1; lost to La Cueva in 6A championship game Key players: Larsen Rogers,
sr., MF/FW; Zach Lemasters, sr., FW; Skylor Rose, jr., FW; Julian Ortega, jr., MF; Danny Aguilar, sr., D; Steve Simko, sr., D.
Outlook: This team could be one of the most entertaining to watch in the state, and one of the most dangerous. Rogers has committed to UNM, Lemasters is a dynamic player, and Rose — a former superstar at Sandia Prep — gives Volcano Vista possibly the most electric offensive player in New Mexico. But the Hawks have had to rebuild their entire back line in the offseason, and that is certainly be a question mark. If Volcano Vista can solidify the defense, watch out. WEST MESA MUSTANGS Coach: Jorge Serrano (4th year) Last season: 4-14 Key players: Javon Hollis, soph., GK; Agustin Paulino, jr., D; Abdul Samir, jr., D; Devan Lootens, jr., MF; Aaron Mendoza, sr., MF/FW; Jason Gomez, sr., FW.
Outlook: With Abraham Muñoz moving out from goal and into the field at defense and forward, the Mustangs will be extremely vulnerable between the posts. Although, West Mesa, which lost quite a few close games last year, returns most of the 2016 roster intact, and Serrano hopes that will make a huge difference if some of the Mustangs’ newcomers can adapt quickly as they join the veterans on the squad.