Alumni return to mentor Eagles boys soccer team

Sometimes experience can make up when athleticism falls short.

That was the case with the second annual Boulder City boys varsity soccer alumni game, with the alumni pulling out a close contest over this year’s boys varsity 3-2, on Aug. 25.

“The alumni may be a little older and out of shape, but we have given the varsity squad a run for their money these past two years,” 2004 graduate Matt Fisher said, the game’s organizer. “This year was a great competition and really close game. (Varsity coach) Chad Smith has proven to be a great coach and role model for these kids. At this rate, they will be mopping the floor with us in no time.”

Smith was pleased with the event’s overall result, thanking graduates for taking the time to work with the varsity program,

“Obviously we would have liked to win, but we gave them a much better game than last year’s 5-1 defeat,” Smith said. “Our team is very grateful to our alumni for coming out and helping us get tuned up for the season. Any opportunity for us to get extra practice, we’ll gladly take it.”

Transitioning into the regular season, Smith is hopeful that Wednesday’s alumni game leaves a lasting impression on his squad during what he hopes will be a better season for the program than last year’s 2-15 performance.

“We’re very optimistic about the regular season,” Smith said. “We’re a year older and a year better. Very much improved I would say from where we were last year.”

Dealt a tough opponent early, the Eagles squared off against 4A power Coronado to open their season Saturday with a 6-0 loss. Despite the lopsided loss to one of Nevada’s premier programs, the Eagles showed promise.

Hopeful to lead a program resurgence this season will be a senior-laden core highlighted by Sebastian Balmer and Ben Missel.

“We have a few boys who can really play this year,” Smith said. “I’m not going to throw out wild expectations and say we’re going to make the playoffs, but we should at the least be very improved.”

Hopeful for an improved season as well is girls varsity head coach Duncan Stark, who will be entering his 10th year with the program.

Noting that this year’s team has already had a better summer than last year’s squad, Duncan is hopefully the Lady Eagles progression can turn into a few more victories following a 3-10-2 campaign last season.

“We have added a couple of players who have been playing competitive soccer during the offseason, which is an added dimension for us,” Stark said. “We also have several returning players who are much more aware of what is required to compete at the high school level. Our program is still in a rebuilding mode, but one area I know we will not fail in is their effort. I know these players will give it their all, win or lose.”

Excited about this season core group, Duncan said to keep an eye on his senior trio of Alexis Pohe, Jordan Trobiani and Julia Davidson and incoming freshman Madison Manns, who has the look of a go-to threat.

“We’re really excited to prove that we’re better than our record,” Trobiani said. “We’ve been working hard all summer to have a better season. I know every senior will give it their all.”

Upcoming Games

Today, vs. Adelson, 4:30 p.m. varsity

Tuesday, at Desert Oasis, 3 p.m. varsity, 4:30 p.m. junior varsity

Contact sports reporter Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com