Daily Pilot High School Athlete of the Week: Eli Solis

Steve Virgen

There are two sides to Costa Mesa High senior Eli Solis. There is

humble Eli and flashy Eli (pronounced El-lee).

Ask Solis his reaction to a pair of 2-0 victories at crosstown rival

Estancia and at Newport-Mesa District rival Corona del Mar last week and

the senior forward will pass the credit to his teammates. But put a ball

in front of Solis and it’s a different story.

He’s not out to embarrass anyone mind you, it’s just a habit that he

has to deceive opponents with his ball handling skills. His focus is to,

to use the slang, juke.

“I’m always a quiet guy,” Solis said. “I never do the talking. I just

prove with my skills, that’s how I do my talking. I just want to burn

(opponents). I don’t like to embarrass them. I try to keep it cool. I’m

not cocky or anything. That’s not my thing. I just want to juke.”

When Solis is displaying his skills on the field it’s all about

confidence. Nevermind if his sleek moves sprain ankles or have opponents

asking for help.

“He’s got such ball control at his feet, he thinks he can take on all

11 players,” Costa Mesa Coach Eugene Day said. “He can most likely take

on four or five players at a time. He sees the daylight and he just goes

for it. He’s sneaky, he’s flashy and he’s solid. And that makes it hard

for any one person to guard him.”

Last week, it seemed as if no one could guard Solis, who scored three

goals in the two victories. He started with a two-goal show-stopping

performance against rival Estancia Jan. 16. His second goal against

Estancia dropped jaws for onlookers and took the life out of the Eagles.

He zigged and zagged through Estancia’s defense and punched in the goal

that secured the 2-0 win. But ask Solis to explain the goal and humble

Eli comes to answer.

“That was sort of greedy,” Solis said of his unassisted goal.

Solis followed up his two goals with another insurance goal in the 2-0

win at CdM Jan. 18, overall earning Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week

laurels. He stunned the Sea Kings nailing a goal on a direct free kick

from about 25 yards out.

“I don’t look at it individually, I look it as a team and our whole

team has stepped up,” Solis said. “We lost a really good defender (Zack

Powell to graduation) and still to step it up has been awesome.”

The Mustangs also lost Trinidad Hernandez, the PCL co-MVP and

first-team All-CIF member, from last year’s team that won the school’s

first league title. Solis, a returning first-team All-PCL selection, knew

that he would have to step up as a viable scoring threat for the

Mustangs.

“We’re following in their footsteps,” said Solis of the seniors

departed, which include Day’s son, Louis, who was a second-team All-PCL

selection. “We want to do a lot more than last year, like go to the CIF

finals.”

Solis received big-time experience from last year that has helped him

in his game today. He also improved his skills through a productive

offseason. He played for the Wolfpack soccer club and picked up new ball

handling moves from coach Kevin Smith, who is also an assistant for the

Orange Coast College men’s soccer team.

“Last year was kind of a growing pain for him,” Day said. “He didn’t

know if he wanted to be a midfielder or striker. This year, he wanted to

be a striker and it settled him down to play at the level he wanted. He

can pass the ball too and he’s just an overall weapon. He has the skills

and the speed to take over a game.”Solis also used his rivals to receive

inspiration that improved his play.

“Esaul (Mendoza of Estancia) inspired me,” Solis said. “I was looking

at him play and he gave me motivation.”

Solis said, of course, that his teammates have been a big reason for

his success. And, in particular, freshman Alfonso Pineda, who scored two

goals in the 2-0 victory over Laguna Beach Wednesday.

“The freshman has been a big help,” Solis said.