News
ENLARGE
Gone are 11 seniors from last year's state champion Incline Highlander soccer team — a juggernaut of a group that dominated the 3A to a collective tune of 19 wins and 0 losses en route to the school's second title in eight years.
Nevertheless, Incline head coach Tom Canino expects to compete with the best of them with his decidedly younger cast of players in 2010.
“I don't know if we'll be quite the dominators we were last year, but I think we'll be competitive,” said Canino last year's All-State Coach of the Year who returns for an eighth season at the helm.
The coach is not pretending like it will be easy to replace his boys from a year ago. That senior class was outstanding, after all, equaling or surpassing the group Canino had in 2002, which also won a state title. The class included the All-State Offensive Player of the Year in Alex Reyes, a goal-scoring machine, as well as the Defensive Player in the Year in senior Johnny Luna. There were a number of other first-team selections.
But while the Highlanders graduated many skilled players, they also return some quality talent, including senior Carlos Garcia, last year's first team All-State goalkeeper, as well as senior Carlos Guerrero at halfback. Garcia will likely play at the midfield position this season, said Canino, who added that Guerrero will miss the first couple weeks of the season due to an injury.
Other top returners are junior Sam Canino at sweeper, a new position for him, sophomore Erick Rodriguez at forward and sophomore Kyle Reeves in the midfield. Freshman Victor Martinez has been given the nod as the Highlanders' starting goalie.
“We have to fill all the spots that vacated, basically. We're going to be young,” Canino said. “But as a young team, I think we'll have a lot of room to grow.”
The coach said the Highlanders' defensive discipline stands out as a strength so far, although even that part of their game needs to improve, he said. His team went 1-1-1 in the season-opening Howell Memorial Tournament this past weekend at Galena, tying Fernley 2-2, beating Bishop Manogue 2-1 and losing to the newest member of the Northern 3A Sierra League, South Tahoe, by a score of 3-1.
“I actually felt pretty good about the way we played,” the coach said, adding that the Highlanders became more sharp as the tournament went on. “We've got a lot of inexperienced guys out on the field. But our execution looked pretty good.”
Canino also was pleased to get a look at South Tahoe, a traditional 4A power that dropped to the 3A this season, undoubtedly making for a tougher league. The division also gained former Northern 3A Sagebrush League member Dayton.
“I think it's a good thing. I think we need a few more schools, and I'm glad that they joined,” Canino said of South Tahoe, which Incline plays again today (Thursday) to kick off league play. “They have some big boys on their team, so it's going to be a challenge because my guys are not very big. But I think anything that makes the competition better is better for everybody.”
Nevertheless, Incline head coach Tom Canino expects to compete with the best of them with his decidedly younger cast of players in 2010.
“I don't know if we'll be quite the dominators we were last year, but I think we'll be competitive,” said Canino last year's All-State Coach of the Year who returns for an eighth season at the helm.
The coach is not pretending like it will be easy to replace his boys from a year ago. That senior class was outstanding, after all, equaling or surpassing the group Canino had in 2002, which also won a state title. The class included the All-State Offensive Player of the Year in Alex Reyes, a goal-scoring machine, as well as the Defensive Player in the Year in senior Johnny Luna. There were a number of other first-team selections.
But while the Highlanders graduated many skilled players, they also return some quality talent, including senior Carlos Garcia, last year's first team All-State goalkeeper, as well as senior Carlos Guerrero at halfback. Garcia will likely play at the midfield position this season, said Canino, who added that Guerrero will miss the first couple weeks of the season due to an injury.
Other top returners are junior Sam Canino at sweeper, a new position for him, sophomore Erick Rodriguez at forward and sophomore Kyle Reeves in the midfield. Freshman Victor Martinez has been given the nod as the Highlanders' starting goalie.
“We have to fill all the spots that vacated, basically. We're going to be young,” Canino said. “But as a young team, I think we'll have a lot of room to grow.”
The coach said the Highlanders' defensive discipline stands out as a strength so far, although even that part of their game needs to improve, he said. His team went 1-1-1 in the season-opening Howell Memorial Tournament this past weekend at Galena, tying Fernley 2-2, beating Bishop Manogue 2-1 and losing to the newest member of the Northern 3A Sierra League, South Tahoe, by a score of 3-1.
“I actually felt pretty good about the way we played,” the coach said, adding that the Highlanders became more sharp as the tournament went on. “We've got a lot of inexperienced guys out on the field. But our execution looked pretty good.”
Canino also was pleased to get a look at South Tahoe, a traditional 4A power that dropped to the 3A this season, undoubtedly making for a tougher league. The division also gained former Northern 3A Sagebrush League member Dayton.
“I think it's a good thing. I think we need a few more schools, and I'm glad that they joined,” Canino said of South Tahoe, which Incline plays again today (Thursday) to kick off league play. “They have some big boys on their team, so it's going to be a challenge because my guys are not very big. But I think anything that makes the competition better is better for everybody.”
Schedule
Sep. 2 vs. South Tahoe 5 p.m.
Sep. 9 at Truckee 5 p.m. Sep. 14 at Dayton 5 p.m. Sep. 16 at Sparks 5 p.m. Sep. 20 vs. Fallon 3 p.m. Sep. 23 vs. Whittell 5 p.m. Sep. 30 at North Tahoe 5 p.m. Oct. 5 at South Tahoe 4 p.m. Oct. 12 vs. Truckee 4 p.m. Oct. 14 vs. Dayton 4 p.m. Oct. 19 vs. Sparks 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at Fallon 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at Whittell 4 p.m. Oct. 28 vs. North Tahoe 4 p.m. |
