Men’s soccer looks for improvement off of last year

Coming off of last year, Redwood men’s soccer is looking to pick up right where they left off. Last year, the Rangers had a deep playoff run, making it all the way to the valley semi-final game. Redwood will look to clear the slate and improve off of what they built last season.

Some members of the team say they feel the improvements the program made when they added Coach Chica. They also say the hiring really opened the door for some real improvement.

Chica said, “I feel great about the upcoming season and the amount of returning players on the roster.” To name a few specifically, Chica mentioned Gavin House, ’22, Ernesto Pacheco, ’22, and Ben Garcia, ’23.

With the emergence of these new impact players on the Rangers’ roster, holes close with the loss of last year’s seniors.

House said, “Losing last year’s seniors will most likely make a big impact during the beginning of the season because they were our leaders and who we turned to when we needed help.”

Despite losing a lot of key players, Jacob Perch, ‘23 said, “There will be a sense of leadership lost that last year’s five seniors had.”

Even when soccer season is in session, Perch stays in shape by working out and training on his own to stay fit and prepared.

Redwood will be a top contender this upcoming season in the West Yosemite League (WYL). Perch thinks the biggest threat in WYL will be Golden West and Lemoore. Coming off of a great season, Redwood has a target on their back and everyone wants to take out the top dog.

House said, “It will be weird without Reid Terry, ’21 because me and him worked really well together.”

House, being a multi-sport athlete, and currently being involved in football, has stayed ready throughout the year. House said he plays club soccer year-round to stay sharp for Redwood’s season.

House says that he sees no other threat to the Rangers other than the Rangers themselves.

House adds, “As long as we play together no one will be able to stop us.”