Vanguard starts with clean slate

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA -- “New,” is the buzz word for the Vanguard University

men’s soccer team this season. There are eight new players on the

team roster and there’s a new coach. Both new factors are bound to

lift the Lions to a better record than the 7-11-1 season last year.

Vanguard lost its first five Golden State Athletic Conference games

and finished 4-6 in the GSAC.

However, first-year coach Randy Dodge is expecting to change all

that. Dodge, who played at Vanguard nine years ago, wants his team to

be one of the best in the GSAC, which is the toughest conference in

the nation, Dodge said.

“I just want to lay a foundation with the freshmen I have coming

in,” Dodge said. “My goal is to keep the freshmen that I have for

their four years. They will be vying for starting spots. We expect to

win, because if you don’t expect to win then why bother playing.”

Dodge takes over for his former coach, Dave McLeish who was at

Vanguard for 16 seasons, that included an overall record of

125-166-12, and 64-65-7 in the GSAC.

In addition to his full-time duties at Vanguard, Dodge coaches

club soccer for the So Cal Blues. He also coaches the boys and girls

teams at Aliso Viejo High. Dodge coached as an assistant at UC

Irvine, 1997-2000, under Coach George Kuntz.

Vanguard’s new coach has a head start in his plans to build a

foundation, as sophomore Matt Hess returns. Hess earned All-GSAC,

All-Region laurels and was also selected honorable mention on the

All-NAIA team.

The 6-foot-3 forward led the Lions with 15 goals and five assists.

Sophomore Armando Ortiz, who played for Estancia High and was an

assistant coach for the Eagles last year, scored seven goals last

season and contributed four assists. Hess, Ortiz and Ricky Wade were

three who Dodge pointed out as key returnees for his squad.

“He gives us quickness,” Dodge said of Ortiz. “He can beat anybody

one on one and he’s a competitor. Matt Hess can score. He scored in

all the big games last year. He’s a good leader. He’s got good size

and strength. He’ll probably be one of the top forwards in the

(GSAC).”

The Lions took a major loss to their defense last week, when

goalkeeper Tommaso Bianchi broke his arm in the alumni game. Bianchi

was one of the best goalkeepers in the GSAC, and Dodge said he also

played on the Canadian National team.

Freshman Chris Swift will replace Bianchi in goal. Dodge said

Swift will do fine.

Three other newcomers, James Grigas, Nathaniel Kramer and Jarrett

Borrego, have worked their way into the starting lineup during the

preseason.

Kramer, along with freshman Andrew Sundseth are expected to be

scoring threats for the Lions, along with Hess.

“There are eight teams that can go to the playoffs (from the

GSAC),” Dodge said. “And, Vanguard is included. This team is deep

enough to get to the playoffs and maybe even make a run at the GSAC

title.”