Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Trinidad Hernandez - Field general

Tony Altobelli

Five games in four days? None at home? No problem.

In a grueling stretch of the season that can demoralize a program, the

Costa Mesa High boys soccer team used the block of games to show the

soccer community that the Mustangs are here to crash the party near the

top of the pack.

Senior forward Trinidad Hernandez helped the Mustangs not only win all

five games played, but he also helped Mesa to its first boys soccer

tournament title in recent memory.

Last week, the Mustangs (6-3-1) pulled off Magnolia Tournament wins

over Santiago (1-1, 4-2 on penalty kicks), Cerritos (2-0), Laguna Beach

(3-0) and Long Beach Poly (4-2), as well as a nonleague win at Tustin

(5-1).

Hernandez was the main offensive weapon for the Mustangs, scoring

seven goals in that five-game stretch.

“Even though we’re a young team, it’s the most talented team I’ve

played on in the four years I’ve been here,” Hernandez said. “We’re a

team that has a lot of weapons, not just me. It’s a team game and we need

the entire team to play well for us to be successful.”

The Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week saved his best offensive

performance for the tournament title game against Long Beach Poly,

scoring three goals and adding an assist.

“He’s one of those players who, once you wind him up, is tough to

stop,” Mesa Coach Eugene Day said. “He’s always moving out there. He’s

always talking to the other players and he’s always keeping the guys

upbeat.”

It’s an especially important role for Hernandez, considering the high

number of younger players on the Mustangs’ squad.

“If someone isn’t playing in the right spot, it’s my job to get

everyone on the right page,” Hernandez said. “I like to encourage the

younger players and help them out in different situations.”

Hernandez began playing soccer since he was five years old. “My dad is

always teaching me different things about the game,” he said. “Coach Day

has been teaching me for a long time as well. He knows a lot and he never

stops trying to teach all of us.”

Hernandez is one of Mesa’s go-to guys and his up-tempo style of play

is well suited for Day’s “triangle” offense.

“A couple of touches and suddenly, he’s all by himself with the ball

going one-on-one with the goalie,” Day said. “He’s got the skills to play

with anyone and with the depth of our team, that’s been a big help.”

With all of his skills, Day would like to see Hernandez get bigger,

while Hernandez would like to improve on his goal-scoring opportunities.

“I’ve also played a lot at the midfield positions so I’m getting my

forward mentality back,” Hernandez said. “As a midfielder, my

responsibility is more of telling where the runs are and directing

everyone else, where as a forward, I’m trying to finish each play

strong.”

With the rest of the Mustangs following Day’s simple, but precise

offensive philosophy, Hernandez has no problem sharing the offense with

his teammates.

“I don’t want to be a ball hog,” he said with a laugh. “We’re all

learning how to touch-pass and if I see someone open, I’ll pass it over

to him.”

Spoken like a true leader.