Chargers' Boys Soccer Team Knows What It's Like to Reload

After losing 14 seniors to graduation last year and 15 the year before, El Toro High's boys soccer team certainly knows all about getting to know one another — and quickly.

In 2009, the Chargers won the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship. Last year, they finished 10-0 in the Sea View League and lost in the playoff's quarterfinals to eventual finalist Harvard-Westlake. So based on recent history, what can one expect this season?

Senior Collin Parker, the team's co-captain along with Quintin McLamb, is the only player to be on all three of those varsity teams. He said that although most of his friends already have graduated, he's making new friends — and quickly.

"Everyone here is pretty close, but it's taking time to get it. I think that it's very important to be friendly off and on the field," Parker said. "The last two seasons we had a very tight team and we did well. I'm looking forward to having a great season again with this team, and hopefully get to the playoffs and past the quarterfinals."

Second-year coach Doug Franco says he knows the importance of being a close-knit team. A four-year soccer letterman at El Toro, Franco graduated in 2003, played soccer at UC Irvine, and then returned to his alma mater as an assistant four years ago.

With only eight returners this season, Franco says he's depending on players like Parker and McLamb to become leaders on and off the field. Through the first 10 matches this season, Parker has six goals and three assists.

"Right now, we're getting use to each other," Franco said. "It's all about fitting the pieces together and what works. We're still working on it."

Parker agreed."I don't like to call it my team, but I am the only one left from the CIF championship team in 2008-2009," he said. "I knew I would be called upon to be a leader this season.… It's kind of new to me, but I started preparing for it last year. It's a little difficult to find the right thing for everyone, but I'll figure it out as we go along."

The Chargers, now competing in the South Coast League, figure to be competitive again this season. Along with Parker and McLamb, Franco is depending heavily on senior goalkeeper Wesley Harris, who was the place-kicker for the football team this past season, and junior Giovanni Martinez, who scored four goals and had six assists after the first 10 games.

El Toro features a counter-attacking offense that feeds off its defense, which began the season somewhat inexperienced. Franco said that while, "the best defense is a good offense," he knows the defense will have to improve if the Chargers hope to return to the playoffs.

"We're going to be a real competitive team, but there are a lot of variables," Franco said. "Any team can win on any given day. We just hope it's us."

###

El Toro's 2010 South Coast League schedule:

Jan. 5 -- At San Clemente, 3:15 p.m.

Jan. 7 -- At Tesoro, 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 -- Hosts Laguna Hills, 3:15 p.m.

Jan. 14 -- At Aliso Niguel, 3:15 p.m.

Jan. 21 -- Hosts San Clemente, 3:15 p.m.

Jan. 28 -- Hosts Tesoro, 3:15 p.m.

Feb. 4 -- At Laguna Hills, 3:15 p.m.

Feb. 8 -- Hosts Aliso Niguel, 3:15 p.m.