Opening Weekend

On Friday we opened our Non League schedule with GSL favorite University. The game was interned to be a warm up for the Pasco game the following night and things were going really well until the yellow cards started piling up. The game was close at half time, a 1-0 deficit could have been reversed but Head Coach Chip Elfering didn't want to risk players getting two yellows and missing the Pasco game. Every bench player played in the game and the final score was 3-0. Branden Hale made seven saves and Hugo Garcia and Jared Brisbin played really well in the middle.

On Saturday we traveled across the river to take on league favorite Pasco. We knew going into the game how tough they were on paper and we needed to play extremely hard and stick to our game plan to have a chance to win the game. Unfortunately they scored in the first 35 seconds and finished with three goals in the first half. In second half the Suns come out more determined to play with purpose and we saw a better team. We were able to string some passes together, played a bit more physical, only allowed one goal, and even put the ball in the back of the net although it was called back for a handball. Once again Hugo Garcia was probably the best Suns player as he was involved in several tackles.

Around the league:

Walla Walla, West Valley, and Sunnyside picked up regulation wins with Wenatchee and Hanford winning in shootouts.

Hello Parents

I know that after tonight's parent-coaches meeting some of you are viewing this blog for the first time, so I thought I'd dedicate a post to you.

First of all I'd like to thank each and every one of you for the time, energy, and effort that you put into your children's lives and into the Southridge athletic programs. We are excited to have your sons on our teams and look forward to having a great year.

The purpose of this blog is to give some more exposure to the soccer team. Unfortunately, the Tri-City Herald doesn't devote much time to high school sports and especially to soccer. So this blog will supplement the lack of coverage that goes on and keep you informed on how the season is progressing.

*Two things you can do to be involved in the blog*:
-Give the address to your friends and families who live out of town and don't get a chance to watch very many games. They will be able to follow the season and see how the Suns are doing.
-Next you can go to Google and create a user name and password and leave comments after a posting. You can tell the boys how proud you are of them, and leave encouraging messages for others to read.

Also I will have the schedule, as well as league standings and league stats, posted throughout the year.

Once again thank you for your time and commitement to the program.

Pre Season All Conference Team

Here is the 2009 Columbia Basin Big Nine Pre Season All Conference team. Remember that this season all 13 teams are in the same conference so don't be surprised that several returning first or second teamers were left off the team.

Forwards

Marco Acevedo, Pasco
Curtis Moore, Kamiakin
Brian Galvan-Velez, Sunnyside
Paul Herrera, Pasco
Tanner Crass, Southridge

Midfield

Jared Brisbin, Southridge
Gavin Richter, Kamiakin
Andrew Clark, Pasco
Angel Valverde, Walla Walla
Eddie Mendoza, Pasco

Defense

Evan Johnson, Kamiakin
Brady Espinoza, Pasco
Antonio Ruiz, Davis
Joel Heisner, West Valley
Jesse Macias, Pasco

Goalkeepers

Joaquin Perez, Sunnyside
Brandon Hale, Southridge
Emmanuel Martinez, Pasco

Players To Watch

Julio Ibarca, Kennewick Marco Solorio, Eastmont Jesus Solios, Sunnyside Matt Smith, Hanford Jonathon Herrera, Ike Salvador Navaro, Davis Nick Wood, Richland Edgar Leon, Eastmont Kenny Short Kamiakin
Jordan Esqueda, Sunnyside Salvador Pulido, West Valley Michael Brewer, Southridge
Devin Petersen, Moses Lake Abel Bautista, Kamiakin Andres Ruiz, Davis Miguel Acevedo, Pasco
Audeil Lozano, Richland Isac Bergeson, Moses Lake John Zoulek, Southridge
Eddy Doescher, Kamiakin

Returning All Conference Selections

Here are the 2008 All Conference selections from the old CBL 3A and 4A divisions. Check back in the following weeks to see who will make the 2009 Columbia Basin Big Nine Preseason All Conference team.

First Teamers from the old 3A:

Forwards: Marco Solorio JR., Eastmont; Curtis Moore, SR., Kamiakin; Brian Galvan-Velez, SR., Sunnyside; Jesus Solis, SR., Sunnyside.
Midfield: Gavin Richter, SR., Kamiakin; Cristian Gonzalez, JR., West Valley
Defense: No first teamers returning.
GK: Joaquin Perez SR., Sunnyside

Second Teamers:

Forwards: Matt Smith, SR., Hanford;Tanner Crass, SR., Southridge.
Midfield: Jared Brisbin, JR., Southridge; Edgar Leon, SR., Eastmont; Jordan Esqueda, JR., Sunnyside; Salvador Pulido, SR., West Valley.
Defense: Evan Johnson, SR., Kamiakin

First Teamers from the old 4A:

Forwards: Marco Acevedo, SR., Pasco (League MVP)
Midfield: Devin Petersen, JR., Moses Lake
Defense: Brady Espinoza, SR., Pasco
GK: Emanuel Martinez. JR., Pasco

Second Teamers:

Forwards: Jonathan Herrera, JR., Eisenhower; Salvador Navarro, JR., Davis; Paul Herrera, SR., Pasco; Nick Wood, JR., Richland.
Midfield: Andres Ruiz, SR., Davis; Miguel Acevedo, SR., Pasco; Audiel Lozano, SR., Richland; Angel Valverde, SR., Walla Walla; Andrew Clark, SR., Pasco.
Defense: Antonio Ruiz, SR., Davis; Isac Bergeson, SR., Moses Lake

One Month To Go!

Just in case no one is counting down the days until the start of soccer season, we're down to one month. The first practice will be held March 2nd at 7:00 pm at Lampson Stadium.

Indoor soccer is still being played at the high school gym at 8:00 pm Wednesday nights. Also we will have a pre-season conditioning camp beginning February 16th. This camp will be extremely important as it will allow us almost a full month of fitness training before our first game.

Speaking of the first game, I have included the 2009 schedule. Please look at it and note that our first three games will be three of the toughest five all year. University and Central Valley are supposed to be the top two teams in the GSL. We all know how good Pasco is, any thing less than a State Championship will be a disappointment for them.

This should be more motivation to get to the pre-season conditioning camp. I can assure you that none of these schools are doing the same thing, so this could be what makes the difference between a win and a loss.

*2009 Schedule*

3/13 Friday at University 5:oo pm
3/14 Saturday at Pasco 11:00 am & 1:00 pm
3/20 Friday Central Valley 5:00 & 7:00 pm
3/21 Saturday at West Valley NL 4:00 pm
3/25 Wednesday at Eisenhower 5:00 & 7:00 pm
3/28 Saturday Sunnyside 11:00 am & 1:00pm
3/31 Tuesday at Richland 5:00 & 7:00 pm
4/4 Saturday Moses Lake 11:00 am & 1:00 pm
4/7 Tuesday Eastmont 5:00 & 7:00 pm
4/9 Thursday at Walla Walla 4:00 pm
4/11 Saturday at Wenatchee 11:00 am & 1:00 pm
4/16 Thursday Kennewick 5:00 & 7:00 pm
4/18 Saturday Hanford 11:00 am & 1:00pm
4/21 Tuesday at Kamiakin 5:00 & 7:00 pm
4/28 Tuesday at Davis 5:00 & 7:00 pm
5/2 Saturday West Valley 9:00 & 11:00 am