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Published on 01/13/1997 All articles from this issue

Spartans playing at a higher level

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By Andy Nystrom

Town Crier Staff Writer

Mountain View boys soccer

There were times last season when the Mountain View High boys soccer club knew it was going to easily win matches. A talented squad with 12 seniors, the Spartans rolled through the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division practically untouched with an 11-0-1 record.

But this year, Mountain View was promoted to the upper SCVAL De Anza Division, and Coach Jim McGuirk and crew "know they have their work cut out for them."

Thus far, the Spartans have proved they can compete with the higher-skilled teams, as evidenced in last week's pair of 0-0 ties with powerhouses Los Gatos and Homestead. And although no goals were scored, McGuirk stressed that the matches were filled with excitement.

Against Homestead on Thursday, senior Chad Newton and junior Galen Donaldson had Mountain View's best scoring chances late in the first half and got the Spartans' supporters buzzing. About 18 yards out from goal, Newton tipped the ball around the goalkeeper but couldn't catch up with it to take advantage of the open goal. And lurking alone on the left side of the box, Donaldson headed a cross just wide of the net.

In the see-saw match, which Homestead dominated early and came on strong toward the end, Newton played solid offense and defense, and Donaldson proved to be a dangerous weapon when he found the space. One of Mountain View's most talented players, Donaldson has a team-high four goals and will play both on the midfield and forward lines this season.

Other key Spartans are senior leaders Mitch Sanborn and Scott Ross, whom McGuirk described as "guys other teams just hate" because of their tenacious style of play. Rounding out the defense are seniors Chris Brito, a calm and reliable sweeper, and Ruben Inocencio, an aggressive marker who gets the attack going with fine distribution skills.

Junior Alan Henley and sophomore Brian Southard beef up the midfield, but also drift to the back row in McGuirk's heavy-on-the-defense game plan.

As for forwards, Mountain View (0-1-2 league, 2-3-4 overall) has two skilled dribblers and passers in senior Gorkis Robles and junior Gabriel Perez. Robles, who is playing at about 75-percent strength because of a bone splint, was all over the pitch and rocketed a 30-yard free kick at the net against Homestead despite the injury.

And replacing standout graduating goalkeeper Nick Ross is junior Brodie Meyer, who played the position for the first time on the junior varsity last season and recently attended a camp for netminders.

He drew comparisons to Ross from Spartan parents in the Homestead match by going up high and snagging the ball off a corner kick; he also stopped two point-blank shots with diving saves.

Coach McGuirk said he feels that if Mountain View plays tough defense and gets a break here and there, it can fare well in the De Anza Division. "It's wide open, we can finish anywhere from first to last," he said. "And (like lately) if you don't give up any goals, you're not gonna lose many games."