The boys and girls soccer teams of Mingus Union High School have refueled and are looking to make it deep into the state playoffs this year.
Both teams were forced out early last season, the boys in the first round and the girls in the second, and although they each have lost powerhouse players, the Marauders will be conditioned competition on the soccer field.
The boys are still a little bitter about the way last season ended. In the first round of the Division III state playoffs, Gilbert Christian scored the winning goal off a handball that the referee did not call.
“That seems to be the Mingus curse for boys soccer,” head coach Cade Densmore said. “We are always seeded high going into the tournament, but we have never won a state playoff game.”
Despite losing a three-year starter and a captain before the season due to injury, the boys ended the 2011-2012 season with a 10-4 record.
Four seniors and six starters are returning this season. The seniors are Alan Castillo, Brandon Gregson, Juan Ochoa, Gilbert Quidera and Braeden Wills.
Wills, junior Cristian Escobar and sophomore Ruenben Contreras are the team captains.
“We lost a lot of seniors, but we will hold up,” Wills said.
Densmore, who is in his 10th year as the boys’ varsity head coach, said that the team has lost a lot of height. The tallest player on the team is 6’3”, and he is the only player above 6 foot. Therefore, the team has had to change their style.
“We have to play with more control, but we still have the intensity and heart which we need,” Densmore said. “We are young but skilled.”
Densmore also said he has a good group of underclassmen, particularly two strong freshmen
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Nov. 28, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
