Mater Dei

Coach: Martin Stringer (eighth year).

1995-96: 17-7-1, 5-4-1; lost to Palos Verdes Peninsula, 4-0, in first round of Southern Section Division I playoffs.

Key returners: Giancarlo Barzotti, defender, Jr.; Greg Bechtold, defender, Jr.; Walter Camargo, midfielder, first-team all-league and national team member (boys’ 18s), Sr.; Bret Corbin, midfielder, Jr.; Kris Hulgreen, defender, first-team all-league last two years, Sr.; Matt Jellick, defender, Sr.; Richard Jensen, forward, Sr.; Michael Ickes, midfielder, Jr.; Jeff McKeever, goalkeeper, Jr.; Tony Micheletti, forward, Sr.; Jason Smallwood, midfielder, Sr.

Key newcomers: Mike Ulgade, midfielder, tore medial collateral ligament in club game last weekend, will miss at least six weeks, transfer from Servite, Sr.

Outlook: Seven starters return from an underachieving team that struggled to make the playoffs. Stringer said the team was simply not ready to win. “It was immaturity,” he said. “We couldn’t win the big games. I’m hoping we can overcome that and go one step further. I think I put too much pressure on them early.”