El Camino Real’s Success Won’t Come as Surprise
For years they were called underdogs and some considered them lucky when they won their first City Section title two seasons ago.
Under Coach David Hussey, who is in his eighth season, the players for the El Camino Real boys’ soccer team routinely have exceeded expectations. But those expectations have gotten greater.
The Conquistadores, admired for their upsets and crafty yet simple play, have finally earned the respect to become the No. 1 team in the region.
If they don’t win the City title, they’ll be seen as underachievers.
“On paper, we are probably one of the best teams in the area, but the kids must understand the game is played on the field,” Hussey said. “The only team that’s going to beat us is ourselves. The other team will have to want it more than we do.”
Despite losing offensive leader Jason Lara and standout defenders Victor Choi and Jason Burbidge to injuries last season, the Conquistadores advanced to the City semifinals.
This season, the team is stronger, more experienced and determined to not only reach the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season but finish undefeated, something that hasn’t been accomplished by a team in the region since La Canada did it in 1996.
“We are more mature, soccer-wise and personality-wise, and we are much faster and more skilled than last year,” Hussey said. “Skill-wise I don’t think there’s anybody that can match us. This is going to be the best El Camino team ever.
“We could compete with the great Reseda teams of the past. They are used as the measuring stick of the best teams in the area.”
Newcomers include two of last season’s top Mission League players: former St. Francis goalkeeper Raul Calderon, a junior, and former Chaminade forward Ori Adrabi, a senior.
His team gets to prove it belongs among the elite. Hussey bolstered the schedule with the Iolani Classic, Hawaii’s premier tournament; the Trabuco Hills tournament, arguably the toughest tournament in California; and the Royal tournament, featuring the region’s top teams.
After having trouble focusing last season, senior forward Ede Ibekwe worked hard in the off-season. Hussey believes Ibekwe will be one of the strongest and fastest players in the City.
El Camino Real traditionally plays with four defenders, but with senior sweeper Zack Feldman and Calderon, the Conquistadores may switch to three forwards to take pressure off Lara.
A look at the other top teams in the region:
Ventura: The Cougars advanced to the playoffs last season for the first time since 1986. They lost in a Southern Section Division II quarterfinal when eventual co-champion Huntington Beach Edison scored on a free kick with 10 seconds remaining for a 1-0 victory. The defending Channel League champions remain strong despite returning only six starters.
National team member Mike Enfield, a senior, and senior Brian Anderson, a member of the state team, help form the best midfield in the region. The Cougars also return four of their top five scorers, including senior Ian Campbell. After spending his junior year as an exchange student in Germany, defender Todd Robinson, a member of the U.S. field hockey team, will start at sweeper.
Chaminade: The Eagles hope to build on a school-record 18 victories, but the team’s success may rest on the shoulders of junior goalkeeper Jesse Taylor. Taylor, a tight end on the football team, hasn’t played soccer since his freshman year, but the Eagles are hoping his size and athletic ability will pay off.
Mission League co-defensive most valuable player Bryan Borreson returns. Coach Mike Gwaltney believes junior Jackie Lawlor, a transfer from Irvine’s St. Michaels School, will have no problem replacing Adrabi at center midfield. With Joe Dillon and Alec de Mattos returning at forward, the Eagles are loaded up front.
Crespi: The Celts have their most talented team since winning the Del Rey League title in 1983. They return 10 starters from an inexperienced team that was plagued by injuries. Senior forward Erick Balderrama must stay healthy and score goals for Crespi to win its first Mission League title.
Junior David Vega is a strong midfielder who can cause damage if he stays fit and sophomore goalkeeper Peter Bomar is the best in the league. After playing defense last season, sophomore Taylor Canel moves to the midfield.
La Canada: The Spartans are among the most skilled teams in the region, but there are questions about the team’s physical strength. The defending Rio Hondo League champions are solid at every position but lack size. Senior midfielder Eric Irvine, an All-Southern Section pick, leads a team that returns 10 starters from a squad that went 16-2-3 and reached the Division IV quarterfinals. Coach Louie Bilowitz is confident senior forward Bassan Khan will help replace Britton Cobb, who scored 47% of the goals last season.
St. Francis: Despite losing nine starters, the Golden Knights will attempt to return to the playoffs for the 13th time in 14 years. Leading the charge is senior forward Ryan Shaw, an All-Mission League selection, who joins Matt Nicchitta as the team’s only returning starters. Sophomore Jeff Fawcett and senior Sean Degroot are expected to lead a physical defense.
Royal: To be successful, the Highlanders will have to overcome the departure of Coach Kevin Corley, who moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., after 17 years at Royal. Andy Silva inherits what could be one of the strongest Highlander teams ever. With 19 seniors, including All-Marmonte League selections Randy Wilson, David Duncan and Bryan Brooks, and Simi Valley transfer Jairo Quintero, Royal is favored to win the Marmonte title.
Thousand Oaks: The defending Marmonte champions lost three all-league players and offensive MVP Danny Ermolovich. But after winning the junior varsity and freshman league titles, they have the talent to be competitive. Senior midfielder Abraham Estrada is the top returner.
Rio Mesa: First-year Coach Ross Greaney inherits a team favored to win the Pacific View League title. However, Rio Mesa will be without its best player, senior Chris Schwarze, who broke his ankle and isn’t expected to return at least until mid-January.
Senior Chris High will try to fill the void. The Spartans will start 10 seniors, including forward Jimmy Heathcote, who is four assists shy of the school record.
Burbank: Although the Foothill League race will most likely come down to the last game, Burbank may be leading the pack. The Bulldogs return seven starters and have two outstanding transfers.
Senior Erik Lopez transferred from Burroughs and junior Walid Kherbache, a midfielder who played club soccer in Oregon last season, is highly regarded by Coach Oscar Eligio. Junior midfielder Daniel Cuello returns after scoring 23 goals.
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AT A GLANCE
THE PROVEN: William Sims of Reseda, a junior, is one of the best players in the City Section. Teammate Rosendo Gonzales is a Division I prospect. . . . Senior forward Danny Corrales could lead Monroe to the Valley Mission title. . . . Sylmar junior Jose Lozano is a strong defender who also scores goals. . . . Santa Paula senior Abraham Llamas has proved himself as one of the elite midfielders in the region.
THE PROMISING: Sophomore Jeremy Huang of El Camino Real is a quick forward who could make an impact. . . . Royal senior forward Markus Roth is a talented exchange student from Germany. . . . Sophomore Gabriel Valladores is crafty and quick midfielder from Honduras who should help Canoga Park if he regains academic eligibility.
The Top 10
Preseason rankings of boys’ soccer teams from the region
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RK School League 1 El Camino Real West Valley 2 Ventura Channel 3 Chaminade Mission 4 Crespi Mission 5 La Canada Rio Hondo 6 St. Francis Mission 7 Royal Marmonte 8 Thousand Oaks Marmonte 9 Burbank Foothill 10 Rio Mesa Pacific View
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