Men's Soccer Preview: The 8-Year Itch

CARSON -- The number eight holds special significance for this year's Cal State Dominguez Hills men's soccer team. Coming off its eighth regular season title last year, the Toros are in their eighth year since winning the 2008 NCAA National Championship, a title that came eight years after the program's first NCAA Title.

Head coach Joe Flanagan, now in his 23rd year at the helm of the Toros, believes this team has what it takes to make a run in both the CCAA and NCAA tournaments, despite bidding farewell to eight players who scored last season that included two-time All-American defender Tony Alfaro, who was drafted by the MLS' Seattle Sounders in last year's amateur draft.

Returning this year, however, are senior defenders Bryan Haley and Gabriel Rivera, senior midfielder Bruno Montini, and juniors in striker Joey Chica and keeper Chase Gentry, the foundation of this year's squad and the five Toros who are expected to continue the momentum built from last year's NCAA run where CSUDH fell in the West Region Title game.

Here's Flanagan on this year's squad after the Toros were picked to finish second in the preseason coaches poll, with the season kicking off tomorrow at Point Loma Nazarene.

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Players Mentioned

#15 Tony Alfaro: D; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#10 Joey Chica: MF; 5' 8"; Junior

#1 Chase Gentry: GK; 6' 2"; Junior

#4 Bryan Haley: D; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#11 Bruno Montini: MF; 5' 9"; Senior

#20 Gabriel Rivera: D; 6' 0"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#15 Tony Alfaro
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: D

#10 Joey Chica
: 5' 8"; Junior
: MF

#1 Chase Gentry
: 6' 2"; Junior
: GK

#4 Bryan Haley
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: D

#11 Bruno Montini
: 5' 9"; Senior
: MF

#20 Gabriel Rivera
: 6' 0"; Senior
: D