Men's and women's soccer teams open up on Wednesday
Aug 26, 2008
Both the Irvine Valley men's and women's soccer teams open the 2008 season with matches on Wednesday.
The Irvine Valley men's team, guided by head coach Martin McGrogan, is at home at 3 p.m. against Rio Hondo, while the Laser women's squad travels to Grossmont for a 3 p.m. contest.
The Irvine Valley men's team finished with a record of 15-5-4. It won two Southern California Regional playoff games and just missed out on a trip to the state tournament after falling to Mt. SAC, 3-2, in the regional final.
Top returners include forward Bruno Sad, defenders Troy Chavez and Michael Sweeney and goalie Mikhail Radchuk. Sad was named second team all-Orange Empire Conference a year ago.
Also, the Lasers get back one of their top players from the 2006 squad. Center midfielder Roberto Linck returns after red-shirting a year ago.
After its opener on Wednesday, the IVC men's team travels to the Hartnell Tournament this weekend.
The IVC women's squad, led by head coach Simon Davies, ended the 2007 season with a record of 2-14-4 overall. But it made strides all season and ended the year with two straight ties. The team won two games and had four ties in Orange Empire Conference play.
And seven players return for last year, including goalie Lupe Jimenez, defender Cassidy Minko and midfielder Kacie Bigos.
Forward Nora Garcia is back from the 2006 squad.
The IVC women's team is at Southwestern on Friday and plays its first home match of the season Sept. 5 against Miramar at 2 p.m.