Glendale Community College Men’s Soccer Preview: Hungry Vaqueros eye division title, playoffs
There’s a sting still resonating within the Glendale Community College men’s soccer team.
Last season, the Vaqueros appeared on the cusp of advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Needing a win on the final day of the season against Victor Valley, the teams played to a 1-1 tie and Victor Valley captured the Western State Conference South Division title. The result also kept the Vaqueros out of the Southern California Regionals.
“Very tough with what happened last year, but we still had a very good season,” said Glendale coach Laura Matsumoto, whose team went 10-6-5, 5-1-4 after finishing 5-11-5, 4-8-4 in 2015. “We want to turn that into a positive in that our players will drive themselves that much more heading into a new year.
“You just try to power forward, knowing the things you need to do. You get them to stay disciplined, so tactically they can get the job done.”
Glendale will begin its season Aug. 25 with a nonconference contest at Taft. It will participate in 12 nonconference matches, including the home opener at Sartoris Field against Santa Ana on Aug. 29.
The Vaqueros will kick off conference action Oct. 10 at College of the Canyons and will close out the regular season at home versus Victor Valley on Nov. 10. Antelope Valley, Bakersfield and Citrus are also in the division.
“Our numbers are up from last year,” said Matsumoto, who in her fourth season is expecting 25 players on the roster. “Right there, that’s a good starting point in terms of the guys being dedicated to putting in the work.
“We have depth across the board and we hope to have guys who are capable of playing close to 90 minutes per game. We have substitutes ready to step in and contribute, too. The talent is there to perform at a higher level. We have a bone to pick with Victor Valley after what happened last year, but we also know the other teams in the conference will probably be better.”
The projected starters on defense are sophomore Yassine Laraichi and freshmen Rogee Gibson, Shayan Hesabi and Loai Ibrahim.
Sophomore Fabricio Bonilla and freshman Wilmer Bonilla are in the mix to play forward and/or midfielder.
Elsewhere in the midfield, sophomore Kento Makajima, Hesabi and Loai Ibrahim should see playing time.
The slotted forwards will be freshmen Jesus Rodriguez (Hoover High) and Eli Shamas.
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
