UCI seeks extra gear
The difference between a disappointing 2015 campaign and the success to which the UC Irvine men’s soccer program had become accustomed, came down to a little something extra.
Extra time, that is.
Coach Chris Volk’s Anteaters played eight overtime games in 2015. They didn’t win a single one.
The four overtime losses, and four additional ties, in which UCI did not score after the conclusion of regulation, helped create a 5-11-4 record that included a first-round loss at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the Big West Conference Tournament.
The five wins were well off the 13.9 victories the Anteaters had averaged the previous seven seasons, including back-to-back trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2013 and 2014.
“Last year we had the 19th toughest schedule in the country,” said Volk, who enters his third season at the helm. “We had eight overtime games and couldn’t find a way to win one. I attribute that to lack of experience and depth. We have a very tough nonconference schedule again, but with a year of experience under our belts and some added depth, I’m optimistic that we’re going to be on the better end of those tight games this year.”
Most notable with respect to experience are five fifth-year seniors, all of whom start. Senior defender Thomas Janjigian and senior defensive midfielder Michael Sperber were both second-team all-conference honorees last season. Sperber was a first-team All-Big West selection as a sophomore.
Additional fifth-year senior starters are center back Matt Tilley, right back Noah Gaines and goalkeeper Elliott Farmer.
Farmer, a career backup, flourished in six starts last fall, most of which came late in the season when when starter Michael Breslin was sidelined by injury. Farmer allowed two goals in those six games, one of which was a penalty kick.
“Those five guys have been to two trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 and they have also seen some of our [least successful] seasons [including a 5-14-1 mark in 2012],” Volk said. “So, they have seen the whole spectrum and I like what their experience can bring to us through those tightly contested games.”
UCI was outscored, 30-23, last season and loses 61% of its production, including Lalo Calzada (a team-best six goals to go with his 15 points) and Jaime Phillips (five goals and seven assists for a team-high 17 points).
Ivan Canales, one of four freshmen to see significant playing time last season, had five goals and five assists and helps solidify a scoring arsenal that Volk believes can be effective.
“I think we’re multi-faceted,” Volk said of his offense. “I think we’re going to get goals from a lot of different people. Our front five are very dynamic. They are all skillful, creative, very technical players. I also think one of our strengths is our ability to combine and break down opponents.”
Volk cites incoming junior transfers Giovanni Godoy (Cal State Bakersfield) and Christian Carrillo (Cerritos Community College) as potential catalysts up front.
Godoy last played at Cal State Bakersfield in 2013, when he had two goals and two assists.
Carrillo, who helped Cerritos win a state title in 2014, amassed 18 goals and 12 assists in two seasons with the Falcons.
Randall McDermott, converted from defender to forward, as well as midfielders Canales and Mario Ortiz, and freshman forward Jose Ortiz, Mario’s brother, are also expected to add firepower, Volk said.
Sophomore Luis Leon, another scoring threat, had three goals and an assist last season, in which he started 12 games.
Mario Ortiz, who sat out last season to focus on academics, had three goals in 2014, his first season at UCI after transferring from Cal State Bakersfield.
Jose Ortiz had three goals in the ‘Eaters alumni match on Saturday. He and fellow freshmen Armon Ojuola, a midfielder from Oakland, and Logan Wyner, a midfielder out of Oak Park High, are expected to contribute right away, Volk said.
UCI, picked to tie for second in the four-team Big West South Division, opens the season Friday at Notre Dame. It’s first home game is Sept. 2 against Grand Canyon.
