11/22/2009 6:00:00 AM Fresh start for KHS boys soccer
SHAWN BYRNE/Miner
Members of the Kingman High boys soccer team take part in pre-practice sprints Thursday on Lee Williams Field at White Cliffs Middle School. The Bulldogs open their season at 6 p.m. Monday in Lake Havasu City.
KINGMAN - After a season of unease experienced by both the players and the coaching staff, the Kingman High boys soccer team is ready to begin a new year with a fresh start.
The Bulldogs open the 2009-10 season at 6 p.m. Monday in Lake Havasu City when they face the Knights.
Last year, KHS had to deal with the sudden departure of Roy Sparks as coach, and Matt Tortora stepped up to take over the program. Tortora was just getting his feet wet as the JV coach when he was promoted, but now the second-year coach has embraced the opportunity.
"I'm a lot more comfortable with everything on varsity," Tortora said. "I'm more prepared with the kids this year."
KHS battled to a 4-12 overall record last year, when the Bulldogs had to rely on younger players due to injuries and such.
"The kids thrown in situations last year are more comfortable," Tortora said. "A lot of starters are back."
Sophomores Hunter Workman and Geoff Angle are expected to show tremendous growth in their games, Tortora said. The coach remarked that the leadership of Brad Noonan should prove to be a positive for the Bulldogs.
"Brad Noonan is a great leader," Tortora said. "The kids respect him and listen to what he says."
Noonan should be a scoring threat for the Bulldogs, and he believes his team will put goals on the scoreboard.
"We have a lot of kids who can move the ball pretty well," Noonan said. "We should turn that into some goals this season."
Midfield solid
Tortora likes the way the midfield has shaped up, and expects keeper Jesus Lozoya to continue his improvement at that position. Defensively, the coach said having defender Daniel Torres back should be a huge help to Lozoya, but this aspect of the team is still a work in progress.
"Defense has to be addressed before the season starts," Tortora said.
Tortora was surprised that 25 players came out for the squad to start this season. He said they've been positive and optimistic.
"The hardest thing is always chemistry," he said. "They're coming together and gelling. They're really looking forward to Havasu and (Bullhead City) Mohave."
Schedule shift
Glendale Mountain Ridge and Phoenix O'Connor joined the Northwest Region this year, which forced a change in scheduling for soccer. The Bulldogs will face each region opponent only once in the next two seasons and will play five non-region games plus the Mohave County Tournament.
"We have a lot of new players and have some more work to do," Noonan said. "But we're looking like a hopeful team."
