Boys’ Soccer Preview: Breakers want more this season

A new season will get underway Wednesday at Guyer Field for the Laguna Beach High boys’ soccer team which brings back a solid nucleus from last year’s Orange Coast League runner-up and CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoff team.

Seven starters, including three all-league players, return from a 10-win team that reached the second round of the playoffs where the Breakers took top-seeded Newhall Hart to penalty kicks before being eliminated (3-1).

Coach Dan Richards begins his sixth year at the helm, and ninth, overall, with the boys’ program.

“Everyone is very excited about this upcoming season and we hope to build off last year’s success,” Richards said. “There is a real sense of investment by the players and they are all working toward the same goals.

“This season we have an older and more mature squad than in previous years. Although they don’t all have varsity experience, the leadership and cohesiveness these older students bring to the group should help us be successful.”

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Laguna Beach Boys’ Soccer

Head coach: Dan Richards (6th year)

Coaching staff: Franz Guldner, Ben Helm, Dan Harrison.

CIF Division: 4

Last year’s record: 10-84

Last year’s league finish: 5-2-3 (2nd)

CIF results: Reached second round of playoffs

Varsity roster: Dante Amodeo (G, Sr.); Eduardo Barraza (DEF/MF, Sr.); Bobby Briggs (MF, Sr.); Sterling Butler (DEF, Soph.); Cole Calabrese (F, Sr.); Kaio Campos (MF, Sr.); George Cracknell (F/DEF, Sr.); Logan Eastman (MF, Sr.); Jesse French (F, Jr.); Thomas Gregory (DEF, Jr.); Matthew Hayes (DEF/MF, Jr.); Matt Hodes (MF, Jr.); Ben Kieswetter (DEF, Sr.); Bruce Knill (F/MF, Jr.); James Langton (MF/F, Soph.); Jamey Orias (DEF, Sr.); Mason Pitz (DEF/MF, Sr.); Dexter Russo (F, Jr.); Willie Shea (DEF, Soph.); Charlie Warner (DEF/MF, Sr.); Edward Willette (MF, Sr.); Dylan Wolf (DEF, Jr.).

Returning starters: Dante Amodeo (first-team all-league); Bobby Briggs, Sterling Butler (first-team all-league); Logan Eastman; Ben Kieswetter; Bruce Knill; Charlie Warner (second-team all-league).

The schedule: The Breakers will face several stiff challenges in nonleague play, taking on a defending CIF Southern Section champion (Garden Grove Santiago) and section runner-up (El Toro). They start their Orange Coast League campaign in January against defending league champion Godinez.

“We always like to test ourselves in our nonleague games and ensure tough competition to prepare us for league play,” Richards said. “This season is no different with us scheduling games against very big schools with great soccer pedigree, including playing against El Toro which made the CIF Division 1 final last season and is one of the favored schools in the preseason rankings. We also play Santiago which is a very talented group and won their own division of CIF (Division 5) last year, along with Mission Viejo which is always a sports powerhouse in Division 1. The boys are not afraid of a challenge and will definitely be battle tested come our league opener.

“The Orange Coast League is such a strong conference and one that time and time again has teams make deep runs in the CIF playoffs. We know that every team we play in league is extreme talented and we will have to be disciplined and organized to be competitive. All the players know there are no easy games and our results will largely be determined by how the group works together and making sure each person understands their role and responsibilities.”

Season opener: Wednesday (6 p.m.) vs. Beckman.

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Schedule

Wednesday: Beckman, 6 p.m.

Dec. 4: at Dana Hills, 3 p.m.

Dec. 9: at El Toro, 7 p.m.

Dec. 11: at Aliso Niguel, 6 p.m.

Dec. 16: Mission Viejo, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 18: Tesoro, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 4: at Santiago, 3 p.m.

Jan. 6: Saddleback Valley Christian, 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 8: at *Godinez, 5 p.m.

Jan. 13: at *Costa Mesa, 5 p.m.

Jan. 15: *Saddleback, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 20: *Estancia, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: at *Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.

Jan. 29: *Godinez, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 3: *Costa Mesa, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 5: at *Saddleback, 3 p.m.

Feb. 9: at *Estancia, 5 p.m.

Feb. 11: *Calvary Chapel, 6:30 p.m.

(*denotes league game)