After narrowly missing the cutoff for the CIF playoffs last year, the Diamond Bar High School boys soccer team is bouncing back on their feet, ready to reach their goals.
Starting their preseason off strong, the team has already succeeded in defeating El Monte in a decisive 4-0 win.
“We played our first preseason game last week against a strong El Monte team and won 4-0,” head coach Pete Orosco said.
However, these wins have also come with some challenges. After graduating 12 seniors—about half the team— last season, this year’s team has many cleats to fill. While not so obvious on the offensive side, heavy losses in the defense have made the first few games difficult. With many of the new players still learning the ropes, the team was not able to pull off a win last Wednesday against Brea Olinda, losing 1-0.
“The offense we have now is stronger and pretty stable because we’ve had the players for longer,” junior center forward Jacob Toohey said. “Our defense is not as strong because new people are moving into new positions.”
Targeting the weaknesses he sees, Orosc has worked on the team’s ability to transition, or moving the ball in the defense and using that control to move to an attack. He is also working on maintaining the team’s possession of the ball by coaching them to pressure the other team immediately after the ball is lost.
“Putting immediate pressure on the opposing team when they have the ball will allow our team to get into defensive shape before the opposing team can start their attack,” Orosco said.
In addition to tactical strategies, Orosco has also been working on improving basic skills like first touches on the ball and receiving passes, whether slow or fast.
Although the team has added many new players from both junior varsity and new members, they have had no difficulty bonding in the short time they have played together.
“I am excited with the chemistry we have this season as everyone is focused and communicating better than we have the last three seasons,” Orosco said.
With such an exciting season ahead, Orosco said the team’s goals are to become division champions and move forward in CIF with little to no injuries.
“The team has a lot of energy as they realize the potential of the team which shows at every practice,” Orosco said.
The team’s next game is this Saturday against Indian Springs in the local Walnut tournament.