Back on familiar turf

Mike Sciacca

It’s six games into the 2004-05 prep girls’ soccer season, and Laguna

Beach High coach Bill Rolfing can already see improvement in his

squad.

That, in itself, speaks volumes for a young Breakers’ team, one

that lost eight starters to graduation in June, has three freshman on

its current roster and already has gone up against four teams ranked

among the top 10 in their respective CIF-Southern Section divisions.

“We’re playing some really good teams,” said Rolfing, whose

Breakers fell to host Trabuco Hills, ranked sixth in Division I,

Tuesday. “There’s no slouch among the bunch we’ve faced so far, and I

think the girls can be very proud of what they are doing. I’ve seen

little improvements here and there, and it’s very encouraging.”

Rolfing is in his first year as head coach of the girls’ program,

but he’s no stranger to the school.

Between 1979 and 1983, he served as head coach of Laguna’s boys’

program and led the program to the CIF Division II playoffs when the

school was a member of the South Coast League.

His 1980 squad reached the Division II semifinals.

One player on that 1980 team was Nick Ross. His daughter, Keara,

now plays for Rolfing.

Rolfing also was the head coach for three boys’ teams that

traveled from Laguna to New Zealand in 1983.

He’s also coached at the college, club and AYSO levels and played

internationally.

Rolfing and his good friend, Andy Thomas, founded the Laguna Beach

Soccer Club.

Six seniors are on the current Laguna roster, which also has a

strong mix of underclassmen.

Rolfing calls the 2004-05 season a “rebuilding year.”

Courtney Hamchuk and Emily Rolfing, daughter of the coach, serve

as team captains and anchor a strong Breaker defense.

Rolfing also has a younger daughter, Sarah, on Laguna’s junior

varsity team.

Sarah Rolfing and Wesley Hamchuck -- sister of Courtney -- serve

as co-captains of the JV team.

Emily Rolfing was team MVP and an All-Pacific Coast League first

team pick last year, and Hamchuk played sweeper on her San Clemente

club last year.

Ross, Laura Yale, Anna Velasquez and Alex Bernard make up the

balance of the returning senior varsity players.

Jaime Hancock, Jessica Sganga, Jessica Heitel and Anna Hopper, all

juniors, compose a hard-working midfield.

Avery Zollener, who played varsity as a freshman last year,

returns as a striker.

Newcomers include junior Lauren Unger, who has been added to the

defense, and sophomores Sasha Speare, Sara Appel, Amy Briano and

goalkeeper Annie Olson, are part of the “new talent” moving up from

last year’s JV team, Rolfing said.

In addition, freshmen Laura Renault, Courtney Capo-Bianco and

Kaylee Rees made the varsity squad.

Laguna lost eight players to graduation, including all-league

picks Kayleigh Dawe, Amelia Moore and goalkeeper Cassie Caputo.

“Defense is our strength as we rebuild and move younger players

into role positions,” Rolfing said. “Emily Rolfing and Courtney

Hamchuk are two certain all-league senior defenders for the

competitive Pacific Coast League.

“Quickness and decision-making in the midfield is a must at this

level and we are getting better every match in that department. Our

strong defense is a requirement this year. All of our goalkeepers are

ninth- and 10th-graders, and they are greeted with pressure in front

of the nets each and every game.”

Rolfing returned to Laguna for the first time in more than 20

years to find a new playing surface at Guyer Field.

“New team, new coach and a new field,” he said. “It’s all very

exciting. However, we are building for the future at all levels and

seeing excellent results at the frosh/soph and junior varsity levels.

“We are playing schools four-to-five times larger than Laguna

Beach High, and schools that are located in the heart of

premier-level soccer clubs. We will battle on and have set realistic

goals for improvement based upon our talent and determination. Unlike

years past, we train regularly with 100-percent attendance and a full

practice schedule planned for the holiday break. I expect us to be

competitive each and every match, but primarily focus on steady

improvement on skills and game sense.”

What Laguna has lacked in the victory department thus far has been

compensated with its playing passion, which, in the case of a young,

rebuilding squad, is more important than wins and losses at this

learning juncture.

“All of our players are contributing and we play with a lot of

heart,” Rolfing added. “Each game I look for players to step up and

play better than before. Our foundation is teamwork and we look to

rely on each other while we battle.”