Lightning new, improved

Steve Virgen

For the past two years, the Sage Hill School boys soccer team has

been playing second fiddle in the Academy League.

However, the Lightning appear ready to take the spotlight and

outshine two-time defending league champion St. Margaret’s this

season. Sage Hill, in its third year of varsity play, has finished

second in league for the past two years, but Coach Noureddine El Alam

sees a balanced squad that could make the difference in league play.

“We have a better squad,” the Sage Hill coach said. “We only lost

two seniors. The team looks good and I think we are going to do

well.”

Though Sage Hill has already suffered through a few injuries, El

Alam said this year’s group has shown the most stamina during the

preseason training exercises. The Sage Hill players impressed their

coach while running 100 meters, as well as El Alam’s three-mile

competition.

“In regard to fitness, we are in better shape than last year,” El

Alam said. “Also, the kids love to play the game. They like one

another. They are proud of their team and they love going to

practice. They have good self-esteem and they are playful. They know

when to joke and when not to. They know what the boundaries are.”

El Alam has also seen the Lightning’s ability to display balance

on the field. Senior goalie Cesar Arriaga will be one of Sage Hill’s

leaders in that department this season. He was one of three Sage Hill

returning players who earned first-team All-Academy League honors,

including seniors Julian Smith-Newman and Chris Chiboucas.

Arriaga was named the league’s Most Valuable Player as a

sophomore, when he was a goalie and also played the field. This

season, he will remain in goal.

“He’s a very skillful player,” El Alam said. “Last year, because I

had [Ethan Tanney], I gave Cesar a break and I put him on the field.

He scored a tremendous amount of goals. I put him at the net and he

likes it. That’s his big thing.”

Tanney was a second-team all-league choice last year as a junior,

as were current seniors Jordan Salinger and Kent Kuran.

Sophomore Zack Milder is also expected to contribute heavily,

while El Alam said the varsity will have six freshmen on the

16-player roster.

The freshmen are: Alex Edelstein, Tyler Ellis, Richard Gadbois,

Jonathan Gordon, Braden Ross and Conrad Whitaker. Ross was the

starting quarterback for Sage Hill’s football team.

Arriaga, Smith-Newman and senior Braden Barnett are the team

captains this season.

The Lightning began the season 1-2, defeating Downey, 3-0, when

Sage Hill had no substitutes. Sage opens Academy League play Jan. 9

against Brethren Christian.