Up the middle

Joseph Boo

NEWPORT BEACH - A pineapple is pretty solid in the middle. So too,

is Newport Harbor High’s boys soccer team.

The Sailors feature a talented midfield where most of their attacks

should originate.

“We’re extremely strong up the middle,” Newport Harbor Coach Matt West

said.

Sophomore Tyson Wahl, who was a second-team All-Sea View League Player

last year, is the key figure in the middle. Wahl is the team’s playmaker,

using his creativity to set up his team’s offense. If there’s one thing

West is worried about, though, it’s becoming too dependent on Wahl.

“We’re asking a lot from him, and he’s responded,” West said. “We have to

be careful not to place all our expectations on him.”

Senior co-captain Ryan Hernandez is another leader in Newport’s midfield.

West calls him a field general.

Juan Gonzalez is a strong player on the ball. Seniors John Swigart and

Jimmy Taylor should also contribute, as well as juniors Scott Dean and

Tyler Simmons.

The goalie position is another strength for Newport, with junior Duke

Burchell the starter.

“We’ll go as far as he takes us,” West said. “He’s a big-game goalie.”

Sophomore Christian Peterson is his backup goalie, though he played half

the games in the beginning of the year to get some experience.

The other Newport co-captain, senior Scott Perkins, is the leader of the

Sailors’ defense.

“He shows a lot of leadership,” West said. “He earned respect among the

boys. He’s not about telling his teammates what to to do, but showing

them.”

Victor Castillo is an experienced starter on defense and midfield.

Seniors Kevin Yoches and Hugo Cortez have also improved enough to become

a big factor in Harbor’s game.

“Cortez is our defensive stopper,” West said. “He’s a force to be

reckoned with.”

“Yoches really stepped it up. He’s a huge influence. Younger guys like

Wahl and (Kevin) Campos are looking to him for advice.”

The big question for the Sailors is who will put the ball in the back of

the net? Junior Trey Meek is the obvious candidate. He led Newport in

goals last year. Returning sophomore Campos improved a lot in the

off-season, according to West, and will play forward, as well as in the

midfield.

Junior Riley Madigan, an intense player, is in his first year on the

varsity.

Justin Newton will be looked upon to provide speed off the bench, and

Springer Brown has a nice instinctive game.

If Newport can put the ball in the goal, then the midfield, defense and

goalies will allow the Sailors to compete in a tough Sea View League. And

West believes the CIF playoffs are not out of reach.

Roster

GK Duke Burchell Jr.

GK Christian Peterson So.

2 John Swigart Sr.

3 Tyler Simmons Jr.

4 Kevin Yoches Sr.

5 Juan Gonzalez Jr.

6 Ryan Hernandez Sr.

7 Kevin Campos So.

8 Victor Castillo Sr.

9 Trey Meek Jr.

11 Justin Newton Sr.

12 Scott Perkins Sr.

13 Tyson Wahl So.

14 Scott Dean Jr.

16 Jimmy Sanders Sr.

17 Riley Madigan Jr.

19 Springer Brown Sr.

20 Hugo Cortez Sr.

Coach: Matt West