1995-1996: BOYS’ SOCCER / Soccer Preview : Six Teams To Watch : Fountain Valley

Coach: Kevin Smith (fifth year).

1994-95: 22-4, 9-1 in the Sunset League; lost to Simi Valley Royal, 5-4, in the Southern Section Division I finals.

Key returners: Joey Bove, sweeper, first team All-League as a midfielder, Sr.; Ryan Futagaki, midfielder, first team all-league, So.; Keith Hedenberg, forward, Sr.; Nick Puglisi, defender, broken foot may keep him out of nonleague games, Sr.; Adam Novak, forward, Jr.; Nick Tolman, midfielder, So.; Joey Vazquez, forward, Sr.

Key newcomers: Chris Jones, defender, Sr.; Jon Lloyd, midfielder, Fr.; Devon O’Day, midfielder, played safety on the football team but has never played soccer, Sr.; Jason Owens, goalkeeper, So.

Outlook: Fountain Valley lost strong senior leadership in Steffen Greenly and Craig Ritter, but returns seven starters. “Talent-wise, we’re better,” Smith said. “We’re looking for someone to step up and take that leadership role.” Vazquez, the Times’ player of the year in 1994-95, will be rusty early because he played football. “He hasn’t been sharp, but he’s such a natural athlete,” Smith said. “Every day he gets better.” Smith said Futagaki keeps getting better, too.