Mustangs bone up for a test

Joseph Boo

COSTA MESA - Costa Mesa’s boys soccer team could have chose an

easier way to get ready for the Pacific Coast League season. It could

have played some patsies, pad out its record and use that to intimidate

opponents.

Instead, the Mustangs decided to take on Woodbridge, Fountain Valley and

Huntington Beach, which is as fun as walking barefoot on glass. Costa

Mesa got out of the preseason 2-7-2, but it feels ready.

“We’ve done really well,” Costa Mesa Coach Mike Dunn said. “We had a

very, very difficult preseason, but that should help us.”

The key for the Mustangs is putting a whole team on the field. The flu

bug has kept Costa Mesa from fielding its normal lineup so far.

One player who’s not sick, but won’t play with Costa Mesa until Jan. 19,

is junior midfielder Trini Hernandez. A club player, he has played one

game with the Mustangs so far and is currently in Mexico.

“Trini’s our most talented player,” Dunn said. With him and (senior

co-captain Jose) Perez, we have two very strong central midfielders.

The Mustangs are getting key contributions from underclassmen. Freshman

Zack Powell and sophomore Billy Lund were impressive in the starting

lineup. Sophomore Chasen Marshall has seen time as a starter, and Ryan

Denman has also contributed.

Statistically, it is sophomore forward Mike Gardiner who has been

eye-popping. Coming off the bench, Gardiner leads the Mustangs in goals

scored.

He and junior Louis Day backs up a veteran attack led by senior Edson

Cruz and junior Josh Feldman.

Senior co-captain Cesar Porcayo is the returning starter at goalie. He

will have a strong backup in junior Justin Schoettler, who is a transfer

from Arroyo Grande.

The defense is led by seniors Jose Pacheco, Brian Dunn and David Jenkins.

Greg Gonzales is the sweeper behind them.

Alejandro Vazquez, Jonathan Contreras, Francisco Arias, Ruben Rodriguez

and Michael Armstrong round out the team.

“Once we get everybody back, I think we’ll be OK,” Dunn said.

Roster

GK Jose Perez Sr.

GK Justin Schoettler Jr.

2 Cesar Porcayo Sr.

3 Chasen Marshall So.

4 Jonathan Contreras Jr.

5 Fernando Arias Jr.

6 Alejandro Vazquez Jr.

7 Ruben Rodriguez Sr.

8 Edson Cruz Sr.

9 Jose Pacheco Sr.

10 Josh Feldman Jr.

12 Brian Dunn Sr.

13 David Jenkins Sr.

14 Billy Lund So.

15 Jose Perez Sr.

16 Zack Powell Fr.

17 Greg Gonzales Sr.

18 Louis Day Jr.

19 Ryan Denman So.

20 Mike Gardiner So.

21 Michael Armstrong Jr.

22 Trini Hernandez Jr.

Coach: Mike Dunn