Despite Injuries, El Dorado Stays off the Road to Ruin

There is no award for the county’s best boys’ soccer program without a Southern Section title. But if there were, it would undoubtedly go to El Dorado.

Over the last six seasons, the Golden Hawks have won five Empire League titles and compiled an impressive 111-23-14 record. In the last two years, El Dorado has gone 55-8-1 and has been one victory away from a Division III title and two short of a Division II title.

Last year’s playoff run ended with a 1-0 loss to Edison in a semifinal match the Golden Hawks played without leading scorer Ignacio Cid, who missed the playoffs with a knee injury. The good news for El Dorado was that it learned how to play without Cid, who totaled 62 goals as a junior and senior, and that it would have nine senior starters for the 2000-2001 season.

But the bad news came early this season for Coach Marc Smith. Before practice even started, Smith discovered the team’s new leader, midfielder Ryan Valdez, would not be at full strength. Valdez, who had 21 goals and 19 assists last year, suffered a pulled hamstring during his club season and started only one of El Dorado’s first six games--never playing more than 10 minutes in a game.

In El Dorado’s second game, against Compton Dominguez, Andrew Baduria, an all-league and all-section fullback, went down after being kicked in the leg. Baduria tried to play the next game, but a blood clot developed in his calf and he has not played since.

“This is not the start we wanted,” Smith said. “No one expects to have this many injuries early.”

Somehow, third-ranked El Dorado has managed to remain unbeaten--winning five and tying Santa Barbara, 1-1, on Saturday in the Long Beach Millikan tournament. El Dorado eventually lost to Santa Barbara on penalty kicks.

“This is the hardest-working team I’ve ever had,” said Smith, in his seventh season at El Dorado. “All these guys have been on both of those teams that came up short. They are more determined than ever.”

Valdez has scored only once, but senior forward Jay Larsen has picked up the slack with seven goals.

“He’s gone above and beyond what was asked of him,” Smith said.

Junior midfielder Ryan Reott has been the team’s playmaker with nine assists and one goal.

“Everybody was looking for Valdez for everything this year, but he hasn’t even trained with us,” Smith said. “It’s been good for the other players to see they can play without him. I’m telling myself in the long run this will help us.”

For the short run, Valdez and Baduria will remain on the sideline. But both are expected back by Dec. 20 for the South Torrance tournament.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun this year if we can stay relatively injury-free,” Smith said with a chuckle.

RECRUITING UPDATE

Valdez has committed to UCLA and his teammate, goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, has committed to UC Santa Barbara. Valdez was also sought by UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Nevada Las Vegas and UC Santa Barbara. Cid, who is attending Fullerton College and is still training with El Dorado, is being recruited by Irvine and UCSB.

EDISON MAKES CHANGE

David Smart, who led Edison to a Division II co-championship last year, has relinquished his duties as head coach. Smart has accepted an administrative job at Edison and therefore cannot devote the necessary time and energy to the soccer team. Brian Middleton, Smart’s top assistant, took over after the Chargers’ first game.

“It’s been a nice transition,” said Middleton, who is a resident substitute teacher at Edison. “He’s been my teacher and I’ve been his student. We have the same coaching philosophy.”

This looked like a rebuilding year for Edison, what with its big three--Jeff Kunze (Cal State Dominguez Hills), Danny Collins (Westmont) and Devin Kato (California)--now playing college soccer. But the Chargers are off to a 1-0-2 start.

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BOYS’ SOCCER TOP 10

Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll

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Pos. School (League) Rec 1. Woodbridge (Sea View) 3-0-1 2. Mater Dei (Serra) 2-0-4 3. El Dorado (Empire) 5-0-1 4. Capistrano Valley (S. Coast) 8-0-2 5. Santa Margarita (Serra) 6-1 6. Huntington Beach (Sunset) 5-0 7. Fountain Valley (Sunset) 2-1-2 8. Esperanza (Sunset) 3-1 9. Edison (Sunset) 1-0-2 10. Dana Hills (South Coast) 3-0-1

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