Salguero making a run for it

est-boys-soccer-featureJunior puts in extra work in order to achieve his goals -- teammates follow suit.Alex Salguero was at home, restless and recovering from ear surgery last summer. His doctor told him he couldn’t play soccer for three months. He began putting on weight.

Then he started thinking about his soccer career. He knew that if he wanted to be a great soccer player, things had to change.

“I was in bad shape,” Salguero said. “I realized I’d have to do more than what it takes if I was going to get somewhere.”

Salguero started going on jogs to Newport Beach and back to his home, across the street from Estancia High. Soon he was dragging friends along with him. They’d run to the Newport Beach Pier, do sprints in the sand and run back to Salguero’s home.

When soccer season came around, Salguero started recruiting fellow Eagles players, like Edgar Rodriguez and Luis Guerrero, to join him.

After practice, Salguero walks home and does homework, then meets his friends and they embark on their journey to the beach.

Salguero said his teammates are happy to do it.

“It’s hard on them, but I’m fair,” he said. “Sometimes, they fall behind, and I push them. I say, ‘If you want to win CIF, you have to pick it up.’”

The whole Estancia team seems to realize this could be a special year, so they are putting in additional work. Junior midfielder Denny Perdomo was among those who joined Salguero for sprints on the beach Monday. Senior midfielder Albert Napoles runs the stairs at Orange Coast College. Junior forward Hector Diaz hits the gymnasium.

Hard work can be contagious, and when your goal is to win a CIF championship -- it’s necessary.

“We want to prove we can do it,” Napoles said.

“I know if I really want to win CIF, I need to put in a little extra effort,” Salguero said. “I want to leave here as a champion. I want to be the best defender in the league. I want to be remembered at my high school.”

Salguero is just a junior, so he has two years to make an impact.

“He’s the type of player who emulates the kind of player you’d want,” Estancia Coach Gannon Burks said.

“He has a no-quit attitude. He’s a leader on the field and gets good grades in the classroom, where he is respectful to teachers. Education gives you an opportunity to go places. He’s giving himself an opportunity to get to college.”

Salguero said he hopes to play soccer at UC Irvine or UCLA as a stepping stone to the pros.

“My dream is to play professional soccer,” Salguero said. “That’s what I really want.”

Salguero is a defensive stalwart on a team with lots of offensive firepower. His ability to help keep teams out of Estancia’s net will be a big factor in determining how good the Eagles will be this year.

“All great teams have great finishers. If we can shut down the best teams’ offensive players, we can win the championship,” Burks said.

“I believe that defense wins championships, and Alex will be a big part of that.

“Most soccer players like to shoot and put the ball in the net. But I’ve stressed to the team that you have to stop teams’ top offensive players.”

Estancia has several players with stellar ball-handling skills and great speed.

Rodriguez, Pedro and Eric Duarte, Danny Perez, Denny Perdomo, Jorge Olivas, Hector Diaz, Albert Napoles and Jose “Chikis” Rodriguez are all big talents for the Eagles this season.

But does this group have team chemistry?

“We have great talent. We just need to work like a family,” Salguero said. “We need to work harder to win CIF.”

“The talent is there. The question is, will they gel?” Burks said.

The first step toward making a run at a CIF Southern Section title is dethroning defending Golden West League champion Saddleback, which happens to be Student Sports magazine’s No. 1-ranked team in the nation.

“I told the team if you want to be the champion, you have to take the best team down,” Burks said.

Then afterward, maybe go for a jog to the beach.

PREVIEW CAPSULES

CORONA DEL MAR SEA KINGS

Coach: Pat Callaghan (sixth year)

2004-05 record: 11-6-4, 6-2-2 in Pacific Coast League

Returning starters: D Paul Knezevic (Sr.); G Andrew Dialynas (Sr.); D Kyle Schneekluth (Sr.); M Brian Burke (Jr.); F Allan Hardison (Jr.); F Brett Crowley (Sr.); D Jaik Ballback (Sr.).

Key newcomers: D Patrick Suozzi (Jr.); F Mitchell Williams (So.); M Jon Udahsev (Jr.); F K.C. Cochran (Sr.).

Key dates: at home vs. Newport Harbor, today; at West Coast Classic, Dec. 28 to 31; at home vs. Tesoro, Jan. 11; at Tesoro, Feb. 1; at home vs. Northwood, Feb. 8.

Outlook: The Sea Kings, who finished second in the Pacific Coast League last year behind Tesoro, look to make a run at the league title this year. With returning senior Andrew Dialynas in goal and a solid back line that includes Paul Knezevic, Kyle Schneekluth, Jaik Ballback and Patrick Suozzi, the Sea Kings should be able to keep opponents out of the net.

Forward Allan Hardison led the team in goals with 10 last year as a sophomore. Hardison, big and athletic, should be able to improve on that as the focal point of the team’s offense.

Coach Pat Callaghan feels he has a starting 11 that can compete with anyone, but depth could be an issue against bigger schools.

Northwood and Tesoro figure to be Corona del Mar’s biggest competition in its quest to capture the Pacific Coast League title.

COSTA MESA MUSTANGS

Coach: Eugene Day (seventh year)

2004-05 record: 3-19-1, 1-11 in Golden West League

Returning starters: D John Zapata (Jr.); M Zaid Khalil (Sr.); D Oscar Guzman (Sr.); F Luis Parra (So.).

Key newcomers: F Abel Benitez (Fr.); M Hector Solis (Fr.); F Jose Bolanos (Sr.); M Marco Soto (Jr.).

Key dates: at Irvine Tournament, Dec. 16 to 19; at Marina Tournament, Dec. 27 to 29; at home vs. Saddleback, Jan. 6; at home vs. Estancia, Jan. 20.

Outlook: Coach Eugene Day said his players are still getting to know each other and could struggle in the early going, but he expects them to be on the same page by the time Golden West League action begins in earnest. Zaid Khalil and Oscar Guzman -- both returning starters -- will miss a few games while recovering from injuries, but Day expects them back for the heart of the league season.

The Mustangs boast an even mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen. Day said the defense, led by John Zapata and Guzman, should be the strength of the team.

Costa Mesa expects to finish in the top three in the Golden West League after a dismal 2004-05 season. Defending league champion Saddleback appears to be the team to beat.

Last year, the Mustangs started games fast and often took early leads, but couldn’t hold onto them. This year, Costa Mesa looks to finish what they start.

ESTANCIA EAGLES

Coach: Gannon Burks (second year)

2004-05 record: 9-9-3, 7-3-2 in Golden West League

Returning starters: G Marco Burciaga (Sr.); D Alex Salguero (Jr.); F Pedro Duarte (Jr.); M Danny Perez (Sr.); M Edgar Rodriguez (Jr.); M Denny Perdomo (Jr.); D Robert Abarca (Jr.); D Roberto Garcia (Sr.).

Key newcomers: M/F Eric Duarte (So.); M/F Hector Diaz (Jr.); M/F Jose Rodriguez (So.); D Luis Gallardo (Sr.); M/D Luis Guerrero (Jr.); M Albert Napoles (Sr.); M/F Jorge Olivas (Fr.); F Tony Flores (Fr.).

Key dates: at home vs. Saddleback, Jan. 13; at Costa Mesa, Jan. 20; at Saddleback, Feb. 6.

Outlook: The Eagles hope to soar under second-year coach Gannon Burks, who guided the team to second place in the Golden West League in his first year on the job.

Estancia returns eight starters from that team and adds last year’s junior varsity most valuable player in Eric Duarte and last year’s JV Offensive Player of the Year in Hector Diaz, who had 20 goals as a sophomore. They should help out Pedro Duarte with the scoring load. Alex Salguero anchors the defensive unit for the Eagles.

If Estancia wants to win the Golden West League, it’ll have to dethrone Saddleback (26-0-2 last year), which is ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Division III preseason poll. Burks said he believes he has the talent to get it done.

NEWPORT HARBOR SAILORS

Coach: Ryan Hernandez (third year)

2004-05 record: 3-11-2, 2-7-1 in Sea View League

Returning starters: D Clayton Heiser (Sr.); GK Carson Hedrick (Sr.); M Ruben Trujillo (Jr.); M William Trujillo (Jr.); D Eric Paine (Jr.).

Key newcomers: M Trafford Hill (Sr.); M Johnny Zimmerman (Sr.); M Jeremy Anish (Fr.); F Evan Walker (Fr.).

Key dates: at Trabuco Hills Tournament, Dec. 21 to 23; at Woodbridge, Jan. 6; at home vs. Foothill, Jan. 11; at home vs. Laguna Hills, Feb. 8.

Outlook: The Sailors have no place to go but up after a subpar season last year. Third-year varsity head coach Ryan Hernandez expects to see vast improvement. The Sailors should be exceptional in the midfield, where Trafford Hill -- who was hurt last year -- returns as the team’s standout. Talented twins Ruben and William Trujillo also return to the midfield.

Returning goalkeeper Carson Hedrick is big (6-foot-1) and athletic with a powerful leg. Returning defender Clayton Heiser will help Hedrick keep opposing teams out of the net.

Hernandez expects to have an intense and physical team.

Newport wants to avenge a loss to Corona del Mar last year and battle for second place in the Sea View League. Woodbridge is the clear favorite.

SAGE HILL LIGHTNING

Coach: Noureddine El Alam (fourth year)

2004-05 record: 9-9-1, 6-2 in Academy League

Returning starters: D Alex Edelstein (Jr.); M/D Conrad Whitaker (Jr.); M Richard Gadbois (Jr.); F Braden Ross (Jr.); G Zach Shockley (Sr.); F Zach Milder (Sr.); M Tyler Ellis (Jr.); D/G Beau Caillouette (So.).

Key newcomers: M Chase Ross (Fr.); M Nick Singarella (Fr.).

Key dates: at Oxford Academy, Jan. 6; at St. Margaret’s, Jan. 13; at home vs. Whitney, Jan. 20; at home vs. St. Margaret’s, Feb. 3; at home vs. Oxford Academy, Feb. 4.

Outlook: Oxford Academy won the Academy League title last year and St. Margaret’s should be strong, but Sage Hill boasts eight returning starters and some incoming freshmen that should give the team a boost. Assistant coach Doug West said ball control should be the team’s strength.

Braden Ross, Zach Milder, Tyler Ellis and Richard Gadbois should provide the bulk of the scoring. Ross and Gadbois have the best shots on the team. Milder is an exceptional ball handler.

The Lightning (2-4) will play a tough nonleague schedule against mostly bigger schools, which should prepare them for league.

Last year, the Lightning won their first CIF playoff game. The team would like to build on that and feels it has the talent to do so.200512163V1M2CHHNo Caption20051216irioaxknKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Estancia’s Eric Duarte, left, and Costa Mesa’s Amir Nasiri fight for possession during Wednesday’s game at Orange Coast College. Duarte is one of eight returning starters for the Eagles. 20051216irkhfhncDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Estancia soccer teammates Luis Guerrero (left), Alex Salguero (middle) and Edgar Rodriguez have been rigorously training for this season.