Men's hopes founded on youth
Campus Times
September 17, 1999
The men's soccer team evened its season record to 2-2 by beating Concordia
3-2 at Ben Hines Field Saturday. The Leopards started quickly, scoring their
first two goals early in the match. But by the 27th minute, Concordia tied
the score, 2-2. This was to be their last goal, as the ULV defense, including
freshman defender John Helmer, kept Concordia scoreless throughout the rest
of the match. La Verne's final goal came in the 36th minute.
by Damien Alarcon
Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
Shayon Jalayer has the opportunity to build a young team into a powerful
contender for the upcoming ULV soccer season.
The first-year head coach will lead the men's team into a fierce Southern
California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) schedule featuring
perennial powerhouses Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Cal Lutheran.
With nine returnees out of a 20-man roster, Jalayer, along with assistant
coaches Josh McClane and Daniel Trimmer, will tame a squad that finished
5-10 last year.
"We have quite a few injuries but things are looking up,"
Jalayer said. "Our guys are getting better and getting healthy. When
we get Robbie [Turner] back, he will make a big difference.
"We are blessed with three good keepers, but Robbie is just a cut
above the other two," he said.
Because of an injury, Turner, a freshman goalkeeper, did not play, nor
was he needed in Saturday's non-conference matchup against Concordia.
The Leopard defense shut down the Concordia offense in the second half
en route to a 3-2 victory over the Eagles at Ben Hines Field.
"It was a good win and we did what we had to do," said Jalayer.
"It is an accomplishment in itself to hold on to the lead for a half,
which is a good result."
Sophomore midfielder Ryan Rodriguez scored the Leopards' first goal
14:52 into the game with an assist from freshman midfielder Nathan Chabolla.
Soon after the opening goal, Chabolla scored an unassisted goal in the 18th
minute of the contest.
Freshman Trevor Bermudez of Concordia scored the Eagles' only two goals
in the 23rd and 27th minute to bounce back from the 2-0 deficit.
"After we had the 2-0 lead, we got too comfortable," said
senior defender Jorge Macias. "They came back, we are lucky to score
again and in the second half we played as a team by passing the ball around
a lot."
Nine minutes before halftime, sophomore striker Art Pico kicked in the
game's final goal. Rodriguez served the game-winning assist.
"We kept them in the game longer than we had to," said Jalayer,
"but we are young and make a lot of naïve mistakes, but we will
get better in time."
The Leopards managed to rebound after Thursday's 5-0 loss to Biola,
dropping their record to 2-2.
The team features seven freshmen, seven sophomores, four juniors and
Macias, the lone senior.
"As a team we have a great attitude for this year and are set on
winning," said Macias. "The practices are intense and the coaches
know what they are doing."
