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Men's Soccer

Men's Soccer Preview: Toros Look for Three-Peat in 2008

Toros remain hungry despite back-to-back CCAA Titles, including a 1-0 thriller over rival Sonoma State in last year's classic championship match.
Back to back.

In a season that started with two gaping question marks at the keeper and defender positions, the 2007 campaign quickly became one of head coach Joe Flanagan's finest as CSUDH used an early seven-game win and late nine-game unbeaten streak to claim its second-consecutive CCAA Championship after taking a 1-0 thriller over rival Sonoma State in one of the two most well-played contests of the year, giving the Toros the most men's soccer crowns in the CCAA with eight.

After the Toros escaped in their next game, an NCAA Far West Region first round match-up, with a sloppy 1-0 win over Grand Canyon, CSUDH again faced its nemesis for the right to advance to the NCAA's quarterfinals.  This time, however, in the other most well-played contest of the year, the Seawolves advanced in penalty kicks to not only avenge their loss in the conference title game, but also end the Toros season at 18-3-2, the most wins CSUDH has earned since 2002.

Although three Toros earned All-America honors last year, CSUDH returns just one for the 2008 campaign in junior all-world defender Kevin Gallaugher after graduating a 1st-team NSCAA All-American and seeing a 1st-team Daktronics All-American leave for Division I St. John's University.

Gallaugher, who notched two All-America awards in 2007 (NSCAA 3rd-team and Daktronics Honorable Mention All-Americans), was just one of two Toros to start all 23 games in 2007, and provided a physical presence on the backline in just his first year in Cardinal and Gold. 

The Walnut native will anchor a defense that allowed just 15 scores last season (good for a 0.65 goals per game average) and registered 12 shutouts, with both marks topping the conference.

Flanagan realizes, however, that losing his two other All-Americans is a challenge in itself, and that each Toro on this year's squad must help fill the void of having the bull's eye still on their collective backs, especially having to defend back-to-back championships when CSUDH opens its regular season in an August 28 match-up against Grand Canyon.

“I think the bull's eye's been there a while,” begins Flanagan with a grin.  “We expect it and we always try to be the best in the conference, and we expect to be the ones to beat.  We're looking forward to another run at the conference tournament and championship, and hopefully move on to the playoffs.”

Here's a closer look at who will look to lead the Toros to a three-peat in 2008:
Forward

Junior Mario Guerrero returns as the main offensive weapon for CSUDH after notching 2nd-team Daktronics All-Region honors last season.  Guerrero finished his sophomore campaign with 10 goals and 5 assists, converting on 3 game-winners in the process.  With a gliding stride accompanying an imposing 6'3 frame, the Riverside native saw action in 21 games in 2007, establishing himself as a spark off the bench. 

Entering 2008, Guerrero needs just 8 goals, 8 assists and 25 points to move into CSUDH's career top 10 lists in those categories, and Flanagan knows Guerrero will be a focal point to the Toros' vaunted and varied offensive attack.

“At the end of the season last year, Mario was our best forward and our best attacker,” Flanagan begins.  “He came into the games at about 20-25 minutes and hardly ever left.  He's got good skills and he's a very hard guy to mark because of his size, skill and ability.”
Midfield

The midfield position will be well equipped to dictate the game's pace as seven returners look to continue dominating the center line with pinpoint passes on offense and bone-jarring tackles on defense.

Entering his third and final season, senior Humberto Lopez established himself as the go-to on free kicks and set pieces, connecting on both penalty kick attempts in 2007.  A lanky 5'11, Lopez's size, speed and skill make him a triple threat, keeping opposing defenses honest in CSUDH's multi-faceted attack.  Including his two penalty kick conversions, Lopez hammered home 5 goals and tallied 5 assists last season, giving the Toros a well-balanced player.

Fourth-year player Carmelo Terranova and redshirt senior Kyle Holland provide ample experience for the midfielders, giving Flanagan seven years of leadership from which to draw.  Terranova started 21 of 22 games played en route to one assist on the season, while a co-captain last year, Holland saw action in just two contests before receiving a medical redshirt.

“We had to convert Carmelo to left back, but he's a good offensive defender who gives us a chance to attack out of the back because he has more of a midfield mentality,” Flanagan says of one of his four 4-year seniors.  “So he's able to go forward and create some situations for us.”

Returning juniors Kris Clark, Andrew Marinez and Hiram Rangel, along with sophomore Diego Turoldo, combined for 6 goals and 12 assists between them, including Marinez's six dishes that tied him for the team lead.

“Andrew came on strong last year and was one of our best midfielders by breaking down the defense, by creating off the dribble and creating off the pass,” Flanagan begins, while “Diego was playing awesome at the end of the season last year.  He's such a tenacious small attacking midfielder who's also a great ball-winner in terms of one-on-one defending.

Probably the biggest surprise last season was the play of Rangel, who was rewarded by being named a co-captain in 2008.

“Hiram probably had one of his best games against Sonoma, marking one of the better players in the conference and doing a great job against him,” says Flanagan.  “He's an extremely versatile player who can attack and defend, so he gives us a lot of options.”
Defense

Flanagan will look to two-time All-American Kevin Gallaugher to continue anchoring the Toro defense, knowing his second year player is up to the challenge of keeping the Cardinal & Gold amongst the nation's defensive best.

“He had a great year last year and we expect him to have a great year this year,” begins Flanagan.  “Besides his athleticism, knowing the game and reading the game, you have to have a different mentality as a defender and want to win the ball and want to give forwards fits, and Kevin does that.”

In addition to Gallaugher, Flanagan has two four-year seniors in Alberto Garcia and Chris Stonerock to give him experience and depth in the backfield, luxuries he has enjoyed over the past seasons.

Garcia, a key figure in the last two title runs, made 10 starts in 19 contests after battling injuries throughout the year, while Stonerock started 6 of 13 games played in his third season as a Toro.  Combined, they contributed two assists and a countless number of momentum-stopping efforts.

“Albert is a quiet leader who does the job,” begins Flanagan, about one of his unsung heroes.  “Not many people notice Albert unless you coach him and see him, but 'positionally,' he's awesome, and deserves to be an all-conference and possibly an all-region player.  Likewise, Stonerock has had to play bits and pieces of left back and right back, but he's always been ready to go, and I expect the same this year.”
Keeper

After enjoying years of promotions from within, the keeper position looks to be the biggest unknown after 1st-team Daktronics All-American, 1st team Daktronics All-Region and 1st-team All-CCAA selection Derby Carrillo transferred to St. John's University last spring.

Filling Carrillo's shoes, however, will probably not be settled until the season opener with returning senior Justin Commins and senior transfer Miguel Benitez battling for the starting nod.

“Justin's come a long way since he's been here, and this year we expect him to play,” says Flanagan about perhaps the team's most inspirational player.  “He's worked hard, he's improved every season, and he's earned it.”

Benitez, on the other hand, “should make a difference for us,” says Flanagan about one of his prized newcomers.  “He's got great experience playing at the D-I level, has good skills and size, and wants to play at the next level.  We expect him to really battle for that starting spot, and hopefully the position won't miss a beat.”

In addition to the two seniors, CSUDH hit pay dirt with two great freshmen keepers, whom the current keepers and coaching staff will groom to take the reigns in 2009.

“Losing Derby, we were kind of sketchy,” Flanagan summarizes.  “But now, we feel very solid about the position now, and also for the future.”
Newcomers

Aside from the keeper position, the biggest impacts with this year's newcomers should be noticed at forward.  With three players capable of scoring and distributing, Flanagan likes the options this year's team has.

Identical twins Greg Piechota and Mike Piechota are good players who can play up top as forwards or out wide.  “They bring an attacking presence to our team by setting up goals, by scoring goals, by taking people one-on-one. They have good attacking minds that'll create situations for other teams.”

Brian Alvarez, a transfer out of Cerritos JC, can play out wide or up top.  “He has a nice little quick change of pace and can score goals so we're hoping he can put up some numbers for us.”
The Schedule

The Toros open their schedule in Toro Stadium on August 28 against a familiar foe in Grand Canyon, nine months after the Toros ousted the 'Lopes in a 2007 NCAA Far West first round match-up.  After a trip to the northwest for three games, including perennial power Seattle Pacific, the Toros return home on September 9 for a 4:30 contest against NAIA power Concordia (CA), who handed CSUDH a 3-2 overtime loss to open 2007.

CSUDH then begins CCAA Conference play with four-straight on the road, ending with a local trip on Sunday, September 21, to cross-town rival and upstart Cal State L.A., which has claimed three of the last five meetings between the two schools.

That quartet precedes a string of four home games, culminating with Sonoma State making its every-other-year regular season visit to Carson on Sunday, October 5, with first kick for what should be another classic set for 2:00 pm in Toro Stadium.

“The CSUDH-SSU rivalry continues to grow,” Flanagan begins, his voice becoming  deferential.  “Both teams are getting better, and it's an extremely even rivalry which makes it even better.  They had a lot of juniors last year so I expect them to be a very good team again this year.”

Two road games follow at Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus before UCSD, CSULA and Cal State San Marcos visit Carson to round out the Toros' regular season at home, with the battle against the Cougars on Wednesday, October 22, following “Senior Day” festivities.

The Toros then close out the regular season at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Bakersfield on October 31 and November 2, prior to the CCAA Conference Tournament, set for November 7 and 9, at a location to be determined.
Inspiration From Above

Heavily on Flanagan's mind will be the loss of former Toro Jaret “JT” Minami, who passed away on August 3 at the tender age of 25.  The most quietly competitive person Flanagan had ever met, the four-year player will be honored by the Toros this season by wearing black armbands donning Minami's #3, never forgetting what he meant and means to the program.

“Once we get the team set and into their groove, I want to get the point across as to what we're all about, and what he was all about,” Flanagan says softly, a familiar wave of emotion making its way to the very human head coach.  “It's important that they know what he meant and means, and that we want guys like JT representing our program.  He's the prototype of who we want.”
Final Thoughts

Just two CCAA Championships away from matching the four-straight from 1998-2001, Flanagan has good reason to be optimistic for a “three-peat.”

“We're going to have a very deep team with a lot of options,” he says with a smile.  “We will be very solid defensively with basically our starting back four coming back, our goalkeeping is strong and our midfield is all returning in terms of starters, so it's a very strong nucleus.

“We had to plug in a couple of pieces and bring in a forward who could possibly make a difference and I think we've done that.

Flanagan concludes, “We have a good nucleus, and should be an extremely competitive and experienced team with guys who have played in a couple of big games, and hopefully there will be a couple more this year.

“I think the 2007 team was a little more set at this part of the season position-wise, but we have more attackers this year, which gives this team the potential to be better than last year's.

“We're looking forward to it.”
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