By Chris Parker
Central boys soccer finished 9-17 last season. The Bulldogs graduated a pair of all-conference players who accounted for 90-percent of the scoring.
Head coach Nathan Cardoza looks for the 2025 version of the Bulldogs to be more balanced.
“Looking at this team versus last year’s team, I think we will be more balanced,” Cardoza said. “Last year, we had three seniors that led the way for everything for us. This year, not having the three, we are forced to play more evenly on the field, and I think the boys have the potential to make it happen. I love the energy they have. It truly is a great group of boys, and I look forward to getting to work with them all season.”
The returning group also brings great energy every time they are on the field.
“One of the biggest things I try to do as a coach is to teach them life lessons through the game,” Cardoza said. “The one thing I have noticed with this group is the respect they have for the game. Treat every game like your last, play hard and play as a team but always do it all with respect towards others and the game. I think this group shows a lot of those traits and I am proud of them for that.”
Eight total starters return.
Seniors Logan Canada and Tony Pham along with sophomore Danny Munoz will be at forward. Canada will looked to for goal scoring.
In the middle, junior Gavin Luo will be a leader along with classmate Owen Smith, senior Ethan Edwards and sophomore Seth Antila.
Calvin Torres (senior), Niwa Ntizala (senior) and Luke Phelps (junior) will hold down the backline this season.
Koston Hopper will be counted on in the goal in his senior season.
Canada and Ntizala have stepped up as leaders in their senior seasons.
“Over the summer, Logan and Niwa both have really started to embrace the leadership role for the team and have been setting the example for others for work rate, positivity to others and motivation to push through tough situations,” Cardoza said.
Torres will also be a key leader, as he returns to the field.
“Calvin tore his ACL last season and is just now starting to get back to the field,” Cardoza said. “Last year as a junior, he was a captain for us, so getting him back to the starting lineup will be huge moral and skill improvement for the boys.”
The juniors have also showed marked improvement.
“All three juniors have made huge improvements from their sophomore years,” Cardoza said. “Luke has grown and is a tough defender to get through. Gavin is special, the skill he has on the ball makes for some beautiful soccer and he always has great vision on the field. Owen continues to put in the work needed for his team to be successful. He is quick and has the potential to score some goals for us this year.”
Depth will be an obstacle for Central.
“We don’t have a deep bench like you will see at most other bigger schools,” Cardoza said. “We have a good core group, but it will be a challenge for us to keep the tempo high for 80 minutes.”
Central travels to Ozark for a jamboree on Aug. 22 before opening the regular season on Sept. 3 at Carl Junction.
“I want these boys to be able to step off from the field every game knowing they played their best,” Cardoza said. “Win or lose, if these boys can give it their all every day, that is all I could ask of them. Soccer is amazing, but life lessons are more important.”
