PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College men’s soccer coach Cale Rodriguez didn’t exactly face an Old Mother Hubbard situation in terms of replacing lost talent after his Pirates went 16-3-3 and won their fourth Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) championship in six seasons last November in Rodriguez’s first year in charge of the program
But the cupboard of skilled, returning players has certainly been depleted, mostly by graduation.
Rodriguez had nine sophomores from last year’s team sign letters of intent to continue their careers at four-year universities, a point of pride for the coach.
Another standout, last season’s NWAC North Region MVP Jonathan Martinez, did not return to the program.
In other words, opportunity exists at nearly every position for his second squad.
“It’s an entirely new team, an entirely new season,” Rodriguez said.
“We return eight players, two starters from last year, so there’s a lot of new faces and a lot of guys who need to come in and step up and take advantage of the opportunities that have been given to them.”
Things look more promising when it’s revealed the team’s two returning starters, left-center back Jose Soto and right back Demar Stewart, populated one of the best back lines in the conference last season.
Soto, who scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute of Peninsula’s 4-3 championship-game win against Spokane, will be tasked with even more responsibility this season.
“He’s our anchor and I’m expecting a lot of him this year, both on and off the field,” Rodriguez said.
“Demar had a lot of success last season, so we return two quality players in our back line, which I think was one of the better back lines in the league last year.”
Others back with the team include Josh Heckenlively, the Pirates’ backup goalie in 2015, and Clarence Wong, a reserve center back.
“He’s playing with tremendous confidence now after a year of settling in,” Rodriguez said.
Jacob Holguin, who played for the team in 2014 before suffering a torn ACL in spring practices that wiped out his 2015 season, also returns either in midfield or central defense.
Other returners include midfielders Henry Bernabe, Jared Ortiz and Salvador Vargas.
“Jared is playing in the midfield now and has looked sharp in the early days of practice,” Rodriguez said.
“Salvador Vargas provided quality minutes off the bench last season,” Rodriguez said.
“His expectation and mine as well is he comes in and takes the starting job and contributes and makes an impact.”
Stewart, for his part, believes the talent level of the incoming freshman class, coupled with the returnees, bodes well for the Pirates.
“The returners are excited,” Stewart said.
“I think the talent level is where it was last year. I think the most important thing we need to be concerned about is the team chemistry. The togetherness we had last year, I think that played a big part in our success. We are working on that right now, and I think by the time the season comes around we will be where we want to be and be ready.”
As for the newcomers, Rodriguez pointed to goalkeeper Sergio Uribe, who transferred from Notre Dame de Namur University in California.
“He transferred in from an [NCAA] Division II school and is looking sharp,” Rodriguez said.
“I would expect Sergio to find some time between the pipes in the early going.”
Cesar Gervacio, of Stein High School in Tracy, Calif., may elicit some cheers from Peninsula faithful this fall.
Gervacio spent some time training with the San Jose Earthquakes academy and played for one of the Golden State’s best club teams, Earthquakes East Valley.
“He’s attacking player, left-footed. I think he’s a guy who can come in and help us score goals,” Rodriguez said.
attacking player, left-footed player. I think he’s a guy who can come in and help us score goals.
Others who might find the back of the net for the Pirates include Saul Araiza and Kevin Medina.
“[They are] attacking players who are doing some nice things, Kevin in a wide position and Saul is a true nine (an attacking position usually held by a creative and prolific goal scorer),” Rodriguez said.
Stewart let it be known he wouldn’t take it easy on the new attackers.
“Our forwards have been impressive,” Stewart said.
“I’ve tackled a couple already and they aren’t backing down. And I told them I’m not going to back down. I’m just excited to play with these guys.”
Eleven of the team’s newcomers are from California, Rodriguez’s home state. So dealing with the typical adjustment to college life and leaving home for the first time also factors into a period of adjustment for his team.
“Unlike maybe three or four NWAC schools, most of our players come from out of state,” Rodriguez said.
“I think it’s a benefit for our program. They live together, go to class together and do everything together outside of the training field.
“I think in terms of developing team chemistry and building relationships that goes a long way for our guys, versus some schools where you might not take classes or see your teammates outside of training and then you go home.”
How difficult it is to win proved the biggest lesson Rodriguez learned in his first year as Peninsula head coach.
“Winning is tough,” Rodriguez said.
“It’s not easy to win games. I don’t care who you are or what league you play in, it’s difficult and you have to go out and earn results.”
Peninsula’s distinguished soccer pedigree makes the task even tougher.
“With some of the success Peninsula has had in the past everybody is looking to knock you off,” Rodriguez said.
“And that’s a challenge that we have to expect and have to relish.”
The biggest key to continued success will be how the new players handle competition.
“The struggle this year will be getting the new guys to adapt quickly to the college game,” Rodriguez said.
“What helped us last year was we had a large returning group of sophomores. And they were hungry. They wanted it.
“The bottom line is we have to get these guys to transition quickly. And the goal is to have your team playing their best soccer at the end of the year.
“And we’ll take it one day at a time, one training session at a time, with the mindset to continue getting better.”
