1995-1996: BOYS’ SOCCER / Soccer Preview : Six Teams To Watch : El Dorado

Coach: Marc Smith (second year).

1994-95: 17-3-3, 8-0-2 in the Empire League; lost to St. John Bosco in first round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

Key returners: Nate Barnard, goalkeeper, Jr.; Ernesto Fonseca, midfielder, Jr.; Ryan Graham, sweeper, Jr.; Kenny Simons, midfielder, Jr.

Key newcomers: Darrell Gates, fullback, So.; Eric Lyons, forward, Jr.; Jarred McClintock, forward, Sr.; Tom Weeda, midfielder, Jr.; Mark Wade, forward-goalkeeper, So.

Outlook: This was supposed to be a rebuilding season for the Golden Hawks, who lost 13 lettermen and nine starters. But El Dorado showed during the summer it will again be a force. It lost to Orange in the Orange County summer league finals and won the consolation final in the Santa Barbara tournament. “These guys are young, they work hard and are one of the most coachable teams I’ve had,” Smith said. “We have a lot of good individual skill and once we started combining that into a team format, we caused people problems. I’m surprised we were able to put things together so quickly.”