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
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