Saratoga News

Sports

Falcons reach their goal--win soccer title

By Kevin Sparrer

Sometimes in life people have to accept that they can't always accomplish their goals.

Yeah, well the boys soccer team at Saratoga High School doesn't believe in that.

The Falcons fought hard throughout the year, and despite a difficult preseason went on to realize their goal by winning the championship in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. Saratoga finished the league season with a division best 7-2-3 record and ended up 9-5-5 overall for the year.

Senior Terry Park was the dominant player for the Falcons. Park was not only the leading scorer on the team with 18 goals, but he was also the leader in assists with 14 assists.

"Park was our go-to guy," said head coach Brett Rodriguez. "Park had his hand in on everything, whether it was a goal or an assist. He was always there making things happen." Park is heading to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo next year to play soccer.

The next most potent offensive player for the Falcons was junior Kris Clark, who scored nine goals and had eight assists during the season.

"Clark was the glue that held the team together on both sides of the ball," said Rodriguez. "He was always there 100 percent of the time. He always led by example and would inspire the other players with his work ethic."

Kaveh Hemate was Saratoga's next leading scorer with five goals and five assists.

"Hemate was riddled with injuries during the season and had many other obligations to fulfill, but when he was healthy I have never seen a work ethic like his," said the coach.

Senior Julien Cromer was another top player for Saratoga. Cromer was a defender who was still able to put in five goals and had three assists.

"Cromer held the backline together for us," said Rodriguez. "If ever anything got out of order in the back, he would fix it immediately. He was definitely the leader in the back and he would boost the level of play of those around him." Cromer is going to continue playing club soccer down in Long Beach next year.

Saratoga was also a much stronger defensive team this year than last year. In fact, junior goalkeeper Brian Coleman shut out six teams and only allowed 22 goals compared to the 33 the Falcons allowed in 2005-06. "Coleman was basically a brick wall for us," said Rodriguez.

Saratoga began the year playing against strong teams like Bellarmine, Woodside and Alisal, which ultimately prepared them for what was to come. "After the preseason, we were ready to take on anything."

One of the biggest accomplishments of the year for the Falcons was a 1-1 tie with Alisal. Alisal defeated Saratoga last year 6-0 and to tie them was "a tribute to how hard these kids worked. Their fitness level was incredible."

"Our goal was to win league," added Rodriguez. "These boys had the confidence and the positive mindset that we weren't going to lose. If we were down a goal, then we would get it back. Everyone was on the same page.

"We lost a tough one to Terra Nova after having two goals called back to end the year, but these boys kept a positive attitude that they will carry over into college, into next season for the younger players and into everyday life."

The seniors on the team include Park, Cromer, Hemate, Eric Yee, Mason Borda, Eric Donn, Ammar Kothari, Kent Quanrud, Cameron Bunker and Nick May.

This will be the final year that Rodriguez coaches the soccer team for Saratoga.

"The entire community has been phenomenal," he said. "The support we got from the parents and the fans was amazing. All of this year's success belongs to these boys. They showed up with the effort it took to win a championship and that's a good way to end."