By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD – Nathan Cardoza spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach for the Glendale boys soccer team, a key part of a program that has won 10 straight district championships — and been to the Final Four five times in that decade.
This fall, he’ll look to bring some of that success a few miles north.
Cardoza left the Falcons to become the new head coach at Central, inheriting a program that has finished above .500 just once in the past five years. But the Bulldogs were consistently tough opponents before that stretch began, averaging 16 wins a year between 2010 and 2016.
“Coaching against Central for the past several years, I have always noticed that they have waves of pure talent,” Cardoza said. “The opportunity doesn’t come along too often to be able to coach at a Class 4 school and I felt like the timing was right to make the move to head coach.”
Cardoza’s vision for his new club? Take the Bulldogs higher than they’ve ever been.
“My goal and hope with accepting the Central position is to help elevate Central’s program to be as recognized as Glendale or Kickapoo,” Cardoza said.
It might seem like a tall order, but the Bulldogs aren’t that far removed from their last district championship. They went 15-7 in 2019 to win their second such title in program history, but graduation losses, injuries and illnesses all contributed to a 2020 season in which they went 2-15.
But the Bulldogs rebounded to an 8-12 record a year ago – the team’s last under longtime coach Dr. Christine Welch – and have 12 players set to return this fall. With an influx of new faces joining over the summer, there’s a growing excitement surrounding this year’s team.
“From everything I have heard from parents and returning players, our incoming numbers are higher than they have seen,” Cardoza said. “I have been having around 15-25 players show up pretty consistently, but have had around 30 make contact with me with interest to play. I am hoping to have around that number come season. I plan to make it a point to have a JV team this year, as Central has not had one for some time and I believe that is an important part of building a successful program.”
The absence of that junior varsity squad has allowed some of Central’s younger players to gain valuable varsity experience in recent years, which could pay off when play resumes this fall.
“Returning players are excited and eager for the season to start,” Cardoza said. “We have a good core group and they have shown me a great deal of respect and are buying into the style of soccer I am wanting them to play. I am very excited to see what these boys are capable of accomplishing this year.”
And what is that style? Central’s emerging depth gives Cardoza a few options.
“There are a few different formations we have been working on,” the coach continued. “As a team, we will evaluate and see how the first part of the season goes and make changes as we go. Having a strong core group, I anticipate us to be able to play a heavy midfield group and try to play a possession-style game and look for quick counters when possible.”
That midfield will look significantly different from last year’s group, as all-conference midfielder Isaac Horn is expected to miss his junior year with an injury. Fellow all-conference honoree Will Young was one of five Central players who graduated, while Zack Murry is expected to transition from midfield to defense for his senior campaign.
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But the Bulldogs have at least one very familiar name in the midfield – senior Boston Hawkins. Hawkins has three older sisters – Aspen, Ireland and Holland – who played soccer for Central.
“Boston Hawkins will be huge for us this year,” Cardoza said. “Boston is very technical and strong on the ball. He creates a lot of looks for us on goal and will be instrumental to our midfield.”
Classmates Spencer Henderson and Moises Machado have shown promise at the position.
“Spencer is a hard-nosed work horse,” Cardoza said. “He commits to every tackle and makes good runs offensively. … Moises is new this year and is very strong defensively. He has saved us on several breakaways, catching the players and making great tackles.”
Junior Ryan Doel and sophomore Max Robertson are also expected to be key midfielders.
“Ryan is one of those kids you are glad to have on your team. He is always positive and works hard,” Cardoza said. “He moves the ball well and when he gets loose, he can really put a ball on frame. Max is one of those athletes that will work until he physically cannot anymore. His hustle and willingness to leave it all on the field are going to be important for us this season.”
Murry’s move to the back line bolsters a Central defense that already had two all-conference players – senior Julian Horn and sophomore Jack Brinkman. Horn was also an all-district pick.
“Julian has shown true leadership qualities,” Cardoza said. “He has great vision of the field, moves the ball well and leads with his voice. He will be playing a major role as a leader of our team and in our defense. Even though Jack is an underclassman, he plays like a senior — with heart, vision and to the last whistle. Jack will be on the backline with Julian, and is capable of holding down our defense if Julian is out of play.”
Junior newcomer Uriel Rodriguez and freshman Calvin Torrer may also see time on defense.
“Uriel is strong and breaks down play well, cutting off passes and shutting down opposing forwards regularly,” Cardoza said. “Calvin is quick, technical and — despite his size — stands toe-to-toe with even the seniors at times.”
Central’s defense will be protecting a new keeper this year, as all-conference and all-district selection Brett Turner has graduated. Cardoza called the departure “a big loss” for the Bulldogs.
“He was strong in the air, not afraid to come out of his box and read the play well,” Cardoza said. “This year we have a few trying out for the keeper position. Right now (senior) Trevor Selley is our most likely candidate for varsity, but when the season rolls around the keeper that performs the best will be starting for us.”
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The Bulldogs will also have to replace all-conference forward Andy Su, another 2021 graduate. Senior forward Hudson McBratney is one player who could see an increased role this fall.
“Hudson is fast and makes good runs,” Cardoza said. “He has scored in some of our summer scrimmages and his work rate and movements will keep us in it this year.”
Junior forward Angel Martinez is another newcomer who could make an impact on the field.
Cardoza, who also coached at Republic and Springfield Catholic before his last job at Glendale, had been impressed with Central’s no-quit attitude long before he was offered the job in February.
“The first thing that always stood out to me was the heart the boys played with,” Cardoza said. “As a coach, I can train and teach movements, formations and skills, but having athletes with heart and high effort is something special.”
Central will visit Republic for an August 19 jamboree against the Tigers, Parkview and Ozark.
Central’s regular-season and home opener is exactly one week later against Springfield Catholic. The Bulldogs will open their Ozark Conference schedule when Parkview visits on August 30.
“Our biggest strength will be the boys’ heart,” Cardoza said. “Central is the underdogs in most games. With some of the new faces — and the returning boys’ work ethic — I am hoping that we are able to surprise some teams.”
