Ready to roll

Bryce Alderton

Now is the time.

A time for Corona del Mar High to make strides in boys soccer.

Since Pat Callaghan has been at the helm of the Sea Kings (now

entering his third season) CdM has improved.

Though he has only completed two seasons, the Sea Kings won two

games in the Pacific Coast League last season, compared to none the

previous year, and are off to a solid 3-1 start this season.

Corona finished fourth in the Pacific Coast League a year ago,

missing the CIF Playoffs by one point, but Callaghan is determined to

get over the hurdle this season.

The last time Corona made the CIF Playoffs was in 1999-2000, when

the Sea Kings lost in a Division IV first-round contest to Diamond

Ranch on penalty kicks (2-0) after a scoreless tie through

regulation.

Callaghan, who was the Sea View League’s Most Valuable Player when

he played for the Sea Kings in 1989, will attempt to do that by

stressing defense, which he believes is the heart of the team.

“I’ve changed the style of play,” Callaghan said. “I’m emphasizing

two defenders on one forward to help seal off the back. We’ll try to

play four flat in the back and more zone.”

Callaghan returns 12 from last year’s team, including three-year

varsity starter Chris Ringstrom, a junior who converted to forward

from the midfield. Ringstrom has scored four goals so far in the

early season.

“He’s our fastest player and has good ball skills,” said Callaghan

of Ringstrom, a CIF Southern Section Division III finalist in the 200

meters last spring. The junior also ran for CdM’s cross country team

that won the Pacific Coast League title this season.

Joining Ringstrom on the front lines will be juniors Julien

Cerutti, Danny Whitaker and Dominic Rubino along with seniors Tristan

Harris and Ryan Tamez. Cerutti, Whitaker and Harris are all

returners.

Anchoring the Sea King midfield while also playing defense will be

sophomores Grant Almquist and Brandon Barrett along with returners

Brandon Zarian (senior) and Jerritt Thayer (junior), one of the

team’s captains.

CdM’s defense will be led by senior returning co-captain Blake

Dillion, who Callaghan said “is very composed” along with returning

sophomore Shane Collins, junior Parker Ferguson, who Callaghan said

has been a “pleasant surprise,” and sophomore Ajay Sahni. They all

will play in front of goalkeepers Phil Stemler and Jay Zimmerman.

Dillion also runs cross country.

Callaghan said last week he was still trying to decide on a No. 1

goalie and knows the season will get tougher.

“I expect us to work hard and be competitive,” he said. “I don’t

see why we can’t compete for a league title.”

Callaghan acknowledged that the Sea Kings are probably underdogs

in a league with University, Laguna Beach and Northwood, but he looks

at competing in CIF Southern Section Division III as a new challenge.

The Sea Kings previously have competed in Division IV.

“We’re a young team that is very talented,” Callaghan said. “The

players enjoy each other and everyone comes out and works hard

together.”