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November 20th, 2009
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Lodi High's Zach McCarthy, left, broke his collarbone in last week's preseason opener against Tokay. McCarthy is expected to miss significant time with the injury. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)
Lodi Flames confident despite injury to senior leader
Just one game into its season, near disaster struck the Lodi High boys soccer team with the loss of a key player.
Four-year varsity forward Zach McCarthy was injured last week during a 1-1 tie in a match against rival Tokay and will miss significant playing time, according to Flames head soccer coach Tim Stutz.
"Zach McCarthy has a broken collarbone from the Tokay game. Having a starter get injured was one of my worst fears going into this year's shortened season," Stutz said. "We are hopeful that he will back for the second game of league, but I'm confident that the new additions can handle the necessary tactical changes we will have to make if he doesn't."
McCarthy led Lodi (8-9-2, 7-7-1 San Joaquin Athletic Association in 2007) in scoring with 32 points a year ago (15 goals) and the Flames were counting on another big year from the seasoned veteran.
But Stutz feels his team has the personnel to step up in a pinch despite what he says will be a shorter season.
"With only 10 league games this year compared to 15 last year, there will be little room for mistakes or injuries," Stutz said. "We have some talented players who will be asked to play different roles than they do normally."
Stutz said returning senior Robert Ramirez will probably move to the forward position with the injury to McCarthy.
Arnulfo Gonzalez will anchor the defense with fellow seniors Ruben Araujo and Kevin Ruoff on the outside giving Lodi strong senior leadership in front of junior goalkeeper Jorge Diaz and back-up keeper senior Ernesto Ochoa. Juniors Robert Haggard and Juan Carlos Solis will support the defense.
Stutz said that depending on tactical decisions, forward and midfielder Jesse Yepez will play an important role in the attack. Senior Nick Day will control a young midfield supported by returning junior Justin Machado and newcomer sophomore Marco Ruiz.
First year varsity sophomores Francisco Ortiz and Kameron Faith along with freshmen Julio Martinez and Ramero Santoyo will give the Flames youth and speed. A pair of newcomers, senior Matt Herzfeldt, will give Lodi a strong presence as a target player up front and Salvador Salgado will bolster the attack and midfield.
Stutz said the top four teams in the SJAA vying for the two league playoff spots will come from the usual contenders every year.
"From talking to the other coaches at our league meeting, it sounds like the title race will be up in the air," Stutz said. "We are a pretty strong league with Franklin, Lincoln, Tracy and Lodi consistently in the top four."
Despite its youth and the loss of McCarthy, look for the Flames to make a playoff run, according to Stutz.
"We have a light preseason schedule allowing us to focus on fitness and tactics. I'm hoping that this will pay off with a league title," Stutz said.
Boys soccer preview capsules
Tokay TigersCoach/year: Ruben Gomez (20th season)
Last season: The Tigers went 4-1-5 and placed third in the Tri-City Athletic League.
Key returners: Tim Rusher, senior GK, Ammar Sublaban, senior FB,Steven Martin, senior FW, Heber Tinoco, senior HB, Julio Garcia, senior HB, Luis Ordaz, senior HB, Jose Gomez, senior HB.
Key additions: Greg Backman, junior FB, Dylan Waugh, junior FW, Hector Gomez, junior HB.
League favorites: West, Stagg.
Noteworthy: Tokay played to eight ties last season with four of them being 0-0 draws, a tribute to the Tigers defense and Gomez's excellent coaching.The Tigers (1-1-3) have already played to three ties this fall, two of them also being 0-0 games.
Lodi Flames
Coach/year: Tim Stutz (3rd season)
Last season: San Joaquin Athletic Association (8-9-2)
Key returners: Zach McCarthy, senior FW, Arnulfo Gonzalez, senior D, Robert Ramirez, senior MF, Ruben Araujo, senior MF, Justin Machado, junior MF, Jorge Diaz, junior GK, Nick Day, senior MF.
Key additions: Kevin Ruoff, senior D, Salvador Salgado, senior FW/MF, Matt Herzfeldt, senior FW, Ernesto Ochoa, senior GK, Jesse Yepez, junior MF/FW, Robert Haggard, junior D, Juan Carlos Solis, junior D, Kameron Faith, sophomore MF/D, Francisco Ortiz, sophomore FW/MF, Marco Ruiz, sophomore D/MF, Romero Santoyo, freshman MF/FW, Julio Martinez, freshman MF.
League favorites: Franklin, Lincoln, Tracy.
Noteworthy: Four-year starter Zach McCarthy broke his left collarbone in the Flames non-league season opener against Tokay on Sept 3. According to Stutz, McCarthy will be out until at least the second game of league play, if that.
Elliot Eagles
Coach/year: Karl Glasman (1st season)
Last season: Elliot went 4-10-1 in the Harvest Christian League.
Key returners: Paul Goossens, junior MF, Scott Greene, junior FW, Travis Dodd, senior FW, Michael Wick, junior DF, Brandon Wintch, junior GK/FB, T.J. Galletta, junior SWP, Chiles Wilson, junior MF.
Key additions: Jordan Tiner, freshman FW/FB, Ken Talbert, freshman MF, Eli Schofield, freshman MF/FW, Isaac Ankcorn, freshman FB/FW.
League favorites: It's a wide-open race.
Noteworthy: According to Eagles head coach Glasman, the team is filled with talent. Biggest challenge is learning how to utilize each individual player's skills for maximum team effectiveness.
Galt Warriors
Coach/year: Bob Merten (3rd season)
Last season: The Warriors went 5-4-1 and placed third in the Sierra Valley Conference.
Key returners: Jesus Martinez, senior GK, German Velasquez, senior FW/D, Jesus Ortiz, senior FW, Jose Rojas, senior FW, Edgar Munoz, senior MF, Antonio Villalobos, senior D, Andres Cortes, senior D, Albert Noriega, senior D, Cuahtemoc Rincon, senior MF, Kevin Salcido, junior MF.
Key additions: Luis Martinez, junior GK, Jesus Gallo, junior, Erwin Contreras, junior, Aric Codog, Phillip Kelley, junior, Cody Klucznick, junior, Isaac Valencia, junior, Cameron Guerrero, junior, Alfredo Mejia, sophomore. Daniel Robles, senior.
League favorites: Oak Ridge, Union Mine
Noteworthy: Merten plans to use senior GK J.J. Martinez at forward at times in order to utilize his speed at the point of the Warriors attack. Merten wants to revert to the old Galt long ball offense of a few seasons ago because of strong legs that can get the ball up to half field more to a bevy of faster players.
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