Boys’ Soccer Preview: La Cañada seeking additional league glory
Bruno Acosta hasn’t forgotten what the La Cañada High boys’ soccer team accomplished last season.
La Cañada enjoyed an impressive campaign, winning the Rio Hondo League championship for the first time since 2013. The Spartans advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division VI semifinals and CIF Southern California Regional Division V Tournament during Costa’s first season.
Costa doesn’t intend for the Spartans to have a letdown, though they will look vastly different following the graduation of standouts Sam Adida, Jack Meeker and Jack Bonham. All three were bestowed with All-Area recognition last season.
“It was very exciting to have such a successful season,” said Costa, who was named the All-Area Boys’ Soccer Coach of the Year. “We got so much done and we’ve been able to raise the bar because of that.
“We know we’re going to need to be prepared, especially in our league matches. We do expect to be better and we’ll look to stay grounded. We’ll also respect our opponents.”
The Spartans, who will reside in Southern Section Division V after realignment, will return some key players to lead the charge.
La Cañada will feature junior forward Tolkin (five goals last season), junior midfielder Brandon Grandalski, junior defender Trevor Bambanian and sophomore goalkeeper Jorge Landa (50 saves). Tolkin received All-Area honors and Grandalski, Mabbanian and Landa picked up all-league accolades.
Expect Esteban Chavez to be a busy man throughout the next few months.
Chavez will serve as head coach for the Flintridge Prep boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. Chavez has guided the girls’ program to plenty of success, which included the Rebels winning the Prep League title outright before marching on to the CIF Southern Section Division III and CIF Southern California Regional Division III semifinals last season.
Chavez replaces AJ Yates, who led the Rebels to the league crown last season for the first time since 2005.
Chavez previously coached the boys’ team from 2006-10. He’s been the girls’ coach since 2007.
Wearing two hats isn’t a concern for Chavez.
“It’s a challenge and I love coaching,” said Chavez, who was selected the All-Area Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year last season. “It’s not all about the games, but finding ways to make them better.
“Both programs are so special to me and I want to make them that much better. There’s been a lot of success and we can build off of that and try to get each team to the next level.”
Flintridge Prep went 10-2-1, 5-1 in league before suffering a loss to Azusa in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs after reaching the semifinals a season earlier. The Rebels will remain in Division VI.
Flintridge Prep brings back an impressive core, including senior midfielders Tim Treinen and Andrew Lathrop, senior forwards Garrett Gaines and Ramzi Beshir, senior goalkeeper Aidan Scheaeder and junior defender Spencer Harris, in their quest for another league championship. Treinen (seven goals in 11 matches) and Gaines (team-high 10 goals) received All-Area accolades last season.
“I think we’ll be better and deeper,” Chavez said. “It’s already an expectation trying to win league again and we’ll try to make a deep run in the playoffs.”
St. Francis also advanced to the playoffs last season. The Golden Knights finished fourth in the Mission League and fell to Paramount in the first round of the Division I playoffs.
St. Francis, which was transferred to Division II, will feature a senior core looking to lead the Golden Knights back to the postseason. They are goalkeeper Michael Bazarevitsch, forwards Colton Ramirez and Nicholas Maldonado, midfielder Sebastyan Enriquez and defender Taylor Bosveld. Bazarevitsch had nine shutouts last season and picked up All-Area recognition.
“We have a good core and we just need to fill in a couple of spots,” St. Francis coach Glen Appels said. “I think we’ll be a competitive team and we want to use that to our advantage.
““We know league will be very tough again and there are not going to be any easy games.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
