Bonita Benefits From Coach’s Intensity

Not much was broken with the girls’ soccer program at La Verne Bonita when Michael Dyer arrived in the fall.

One season removed from a Southern Section Division III co-championship in 2002, the Bearcats won 16 games, secured their 10th consecutive undefeated league season and rode that winning streak into the postseason last spring, where they lost, 2-1, to eventual co-champion Costa Mesa.

Still, from day one, Dyer did plenty of tinkering. He started by changing the tone of fall workouts. Bonita’s previous coach focused almost entirely on conditioning in September, but Dyer immediately tested his new team’s savvy. He installed a proven practice routine, first patented by University of North Carolina women’s soccer Coach Anson Dorrance, that reinforced his credo: Competition is crucial to success.

Dyer ran his team through a series of game-simulation drills, such as two-on-two touch passing, shooting and full-field scrimmaging. Each resulted in clear winners and losers, the latter forced into an abyss of push-ups and crunches.

“After that first day, a few players approached me and said, ‘We did more in one practice than we did all of last year,’ ” Dyer said.

His method struck a chord with Bonita players, who dominated the Miramonte League again this season and extended the school’s league unbeaten streak to 110 games.

Bonita began its quest for a second section title in three seasons with a 4-0 first-round victory in the Southern Section Division III playoffs over visiting Centennial Corona on Saturday.

Dyer’s aggressive coaching style translates into equally aggressive play by his team. He encourages players to attack on offense, even defenders, whom Dyer said have accounted for 20% of the team’s crosses this season.

Bonita showed its offensive prowess in a Feb. 10 home contest against Walnut, which is ranked seventh in the Southland by The Times. The Bearcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 13 minutes, but relinquished the advantage in the second half, tying the defending Division III co-champions, 2-2.

Through some early-season struggles, Dyer quickly learned his players’ personalities. From the beginning, freshman Jenna Peek embodied the competitiveness he craved. On numerous occasions this season, Peek has lost control of the ball at forward but has chased an opponent more than half the field to regain possession.

“Most forwards give up in those situations,” said Dyer, who has coached a club team for almost a decade. “She’s just so resilient.”

Peek’s resiliency is necessary just to manage her daily routine. She juggles soccer and dance, in which she specializes in jazz, tap and ballet.

“It helps with my footwork,” Peek said.

Though Peek has only one goal, Dyer has already anointed her most likely to become a future captain. The team’s current captains earned their titles by possessing a trait that Dyer finds essential.

Senior forward Kellie McGrath uses a powerful foot to amass a team-leading nine goals. Senior midfielder Randie Massro, who has three goals, impresses Dyer with her aggressiveness. And her sister, junior goalkeeper Brittany Massro, is fearless, which will be a key to the Bearcats’ postseason run.

McGrath had one goal and one assist in the victory Saturday. Kristi Dow, Amanda Mitchell and Sydney Turrubiartis had the other goals for the Bearcats, who are 17-3-5 this season and 10-0-1 in their last 11 games.

Brittany Massro recorded four saves and her 15th shutout.

The Massro sisters are quick to praise Dyer’s coaching style, particularly his meritocratic approach to allotting minutes.

“He has made good [personnel] decisions,” Randie said. “Players know who deserves to be on the field.”

Added Brittany: “It pushes us to work harder to get a spot. You shouldn’t just be guaranteed a spot because you’re a senior.”