Gonzalez Moves to the Front of the Line

Manny Penaflor admits he probably did Santa Ana’s opponents a favor last season by positioning his most dangerous player, Mario Gonzalez, at sweeper. But Santa Ana’s coach says he’s through giving defenders a day off. This year, Gonzalez will be their worst nightmare.

“We want to get Mario upfield,” Penaflor said. “He has too many skills to have him on defense. He can pose a lot of problems for a lot of teams if he’s playing midfield or striker.”

Even at sweeper, Gonzalez posed problems. He scored 10 goals and picked up five assists for the Saints, who were the county’s only unbeaten team in the regular season but were upset by Simi Valley Royal in the Southern Section Division I semifinals.

Gonzalez was selected defensive most valuable player of the Golden West League and was a Times All-County first-team selection. But last season, Santa Ana had experience up front in Juan Reyes and inexperience in the back. Gonzalez, a natural midfielder, offered to help out.

“Last year he came up to me and said he wanted to play sweeper because that’s where he could help the team the most,” assistant coach Sal Lopez said.

Gonzalez said he simply wanted to win.

“I think that move helped the team but it helped me more,” Gonzalez said. “After the season, I realized how important it was.”

This year Reyes--a two-time Times All-County selection--is gone and the team needs an explosive scorer. Gonzalez is ready to step in again.

“I think I’m up for it,” he said. “I set a goal last year to score 10 goals. This year my goal is 15.”

Opposing coaches are already fearing the worst. Mel Silva, who coaches Santa Ana’s biggest rival, Saddleback, isn’t expecting to see Gonzalez at sweeper this year.

“Our teams are so evenly matched that no one wants to give away anything,” Silva said. “We know that one goal could be the difference. That’s why they needed Mario on defense last year. But that was last year. I think he’d make a good left winger. He’s quick and he’s crafty with the ball. I think they’ll move him out of there.”

Penaflor said sophomore Juan Garcia will audition at sweeper and if he succeeds, Gonzalez will play halfback or striker.

“They’re not going to mark him at sweeper, but if we move him up, he’ll draw two players and that will weaken the other team,” Penaflor said.

But before Gonzalez can help the team, he’d like to help himself. No Santa Ana player has ever earned a Division I soccer scholarship. Gonzalez would like to become the first.

“I’ve been working on my books, trying to improve my SAT scores,” said Gonzalez, who has been talking to Southern Methodist, UCLA, Tulsa and Fresno State. “I want to be known as the first Santa Ana kid to play Division I when I come back to visit.”

There have been many Santa Ana players talented enough to play Division I soccer and others smart enough, but no one has combined the two. Santa Margarita Coach Curt Bauer, who has sent several players on to play Division I college soccer, said Gonzalez should break the mold.

“He has the talent and then some,” Bauer said. “He’s such a smooth player and he’s got incredible vision. He’s just fun to watch. Every time he gets the ball, it’s exciting.”

Penaflor has been at Santa Ana 33 years and he’s never seen anyone quite like Gonzalez.

“He’s the most versatile we’ve had,” Penaflor said. “No matter where you put him, something good happens.”

This year, Penaflor is expecting a lot of good things to happen.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

PRESEASON TOP 10

1. Santa Ana: Going for fourth league title in a row.

2. Santa Margarita: 12 of 14 return from Div. III title team.

3. Mater Dei: Still tough after losing 12 of top 17.

4. Saddleback: Coach Silva’s best team in 11 years.

5. Esperanza: Wouldn’t be a top 10 without Aztecs.

6. Fountain Valley: Seeking third shot at Simi Valley Royal.

7. Capistrano Valley: Going for eighth straight playoff berth.

8. Woodbridge: Five all-leaguers return for Szczuka.

9. Orange: Califf leads an inexperienced group.

10. Laguna Hills: Div. III quarterfinalists return nine starters.

BOYS SOCCER

Players to Watch

* Danny Califf, Orange, sweeper, Sr.

* Aaron Colacion, Esperanza, forward, Sr.

* Bret Corbin, Mater Dei, midfielder, Sr.

* Bryan Doi, Laguna Hills, halfback, Sr.

* Nate Fikse, Esperanza, goalkeeper, Jr.

* Byron Foss, Santa Margarita, goalkeeper, Sr.

* Ryan Futagaki, Fountain Valley, midfielder, Sr.

* Norman Giroux, Santa Margarita, forward, Sr.

* Ramon Garcia, Estancia, forward, Sr.

* Danny Gonzalez, Santa Ana, midfielder, Sr.

* Mario Gonzalez, Santa Ana, midfielder, Sr.

* Mark Kisting, Servite, midfielder, Sr.

* Chris Latini, Capistrano Valley, defense, Sr.

* Phil Latini, Capistrano Valley, forward, Sr.

* Aaron McAthy, Huntington Beach, forward, Sr.

* Kevin Mehrens, San Clemente, goalkeeper, Sr.

* Jeff McKeever, Mater Dei, goalkeeper, Sr.

* Manuel Oropeza, Newport Harbor, forward, Jr.

* Jose Retiz, Saddleback, midfielder, Sr.

* Thomas Serna, Saddleback, forward, Sr.

League Favorites

Century: Orange; Empire: El Dorado; Freeway: Sunny Hills; Garden Grove: Santiago; Golden West: Santa Ana; Olympic: Orange Lutheran; Orange: Brea Olinda; Pacific Coast: Laguna Hills; Sea View: Santa Margarita; South Coast: Mater Dei; Sunset: Esperanza.

Key Dates

Dec. 13, Irvine Invitational; Dec. 17-20, Brea Olinda Tournament; Dec. 26-30, Mustang Classic at Trabuco Hills; Dec. 26, 27, 29, Marina Tournament; Feb. 18, 20, 24, 26, March 3, Southern Section playoffs.

1996-97 Final Poll

1. Santa Ana; 2. Mater Dei; 3. Esperanza; 4. Fountain Valley; 5. Newport Harbor; 6. Capistrano Valley; 7. Canyon; 8. Laguna Beach; 9. Woodbridge; 10. Saddleback.

Notes

Santa Margarita will stay and defend its Division III title after considering a move up to Division I. The Eagles appear to have the talent to compete with Division I teams. Five players are being recruited by Division I colleges, including goalkeeper Byron Foss, who has orally committed to Southern Methodist. Another heavily recruited player is midfielder Norman Giroux, a transfer from Mater Dei. Giroux sat out last season because Mater Dei blocked his transfer. . . . One of Saddleback’s 10 returning players, goalkeeper Efrain Rodriguez is out with an injured right kneecap and will miss at least the first three weeks of the season. . . . Huntington Beach will be without senior co-captain A.J. Ruiz for at least the first month. Ruiz, a Division I college prospect, broke his tibia in a summer soccer game. . . . Chris Whitworth, who led Laguna Beach to the Division IV title last year, is playing professionally in Switzerland. . . . Newport Harbor is not ranked in the preseason poll, but that doesn’t mean the Sailors won’t be ranked by season’s end. The last two years Newport Harbor was unranked in the preseason but finished the regular season sixth in 95-96 and fifth in 96-97.