After being a game away from NCAA Division II national championship, men’s soccer looks to build off last season to reach the ultimate goal of a national title.
The team lost 1-0 to the University of Charleston in the semifinals of NCAA Tournament after beating the first and second ranked teams in the country.
CPP finished the year 17-6-1 and lost just one game on the road in conference play all season.
The Broncos lost many top players including All-American forward Sergi Monso, who led the California Collegiate Athletic Association with 21 goals and 11 assists.
The Broncos also lost their first team All- CCAA midfielder Luis Najera Jr. and second team All-CCAA midfielder Matthew Perez. One last key player the Broncos lost is goalkeeper Jason Trejos.
“We lost some critical pieces just like every group. There were some unknowns in January because we lost a big group that helped get to where we had achieved, but this group is excited for the challenge at hand and are ready to compete,” said coach Adam Reeves.
The goal for the team is not to settle for what they have accomplished but to strive to be better.
The consistency of pushing each other and training hard is what will show in the fall when the season begins.
Reeves will look to returning players to come up big and fill in the shoes of the players that have been lost.
First team All-CCAA midfielder Jimmie Villalobos and center defender Nadeer Ghantous look to be a big part of the Broncos’ success.
Not only will Reeves expect Villalobos and Ghantous to be big contributors but also midfielder Cyro Oliveria who received honorable mention honors last season.
“When you play how we play and a school that we are, that have been successful the last couple of years, the expectation is always high,” said Oliveria. “The guys that are here now and are working hard and the coaches are working on being the best players around so we can be the best team that we can be.”
After losing 10 seniors, players not only have to step up their game but also their leadership. Reeves will look to returning players to step up and be a leader for this young team.
“We need to make sure the squad is on board. I am trying to be a leader and hopefully lead this team to the playoffs and making sure everyone is on task and hungry to win championships to one of our goals, said Villalobos.
“If we work together and as a team, we will win games.”
