Boys' soccer on track

Danny KarelStaff WriterThree years ago, Samo’s boys’ soccer team finished their season with a record superior to every other team in their division. They bested every competitor from the top of California to the bottom, and finished ranking first in the nation. They began their season with seven returning starters and finished with 29 victories, no losses and a single tie.This year’s team has the potential for a repeat.“This year we have around seven returning starters,” said senior Nick Herrera, one of the many talented varsity players to represent Samo during this soccer season. “The majority of us have been playing together since we were little kids.”The current varsity squad has been waiting patiently for this season — which is going to be the last that the majority of them will play for Samo — to showcase the array of talent and potential that they posses. Just five games into the season, the boys have already managed to soundly defeat four of the teams that they have played against, and have tied just once.The scores speak for themselves. On Nov. 23, Samo beat out Beverly, winning 2-0. Their next game, played against Bishop Montgomery, ended with Samo winning 5-0. Just two days after that they played Lynwood again,  finishing 4-2. North Torrance, a team that was rated above the Samo squad, was defeated 3-1.Their sole tie was against Palisades. The ’08 team sustained their only tie in the beginning of the season, so such a result is not entirely indicative of what is yet to come, but their overall mentality is.“When we tied Palisades it really had an effect on our team,” Herrera said. “It felt worse than a loss in a way. It was a reality check that we can’t relax no matter what this season.”However, it is not just the players that are pushing for success on the field. The boys are being lead by three coaches, Andy Rock, Serafin Rodriguez and José Lopez, the founder of the Samo soccer program in ’71. With their leadership, along with the two senior captains Trevor Kovacs and Daniel Hulbert, this season should prove to be extremely entertaining and one to keep a close eye on.dkarel@thesamohi.com