2003 PREVIEW: BOYS' SOCCER: PIONEERING POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE WIN OR LOSE, SIMI VALLEY BOYS PLAN TO AVOID LAST SEASON'S DIVISIVENESS.Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - For more than three months, members of the Simi Valley High boys' soccer program have been telling their new coach the same thing. They tell him how difficult the league in which they play is. They also tell him how difficult it was for the Pioneers to get along last season. Simi Valley coach Mike Popp believes at least one of those problems is solved. He is uncertain how his team compares to the rest of the Marmonte League The Marmonte League is a high school sports league primarily made up of schools from Ventura County. The Marmonte Leauge is part of the CIF Southern Section. Click here to view the league schedule. , but he knows it should at least have a more enjoyable season. The new, team-oriented atmosphere surrounding the Pioneers provides an ideal foundation for improving on last season's last-place finish. ``I talked to the guys and the consensus was the motivational factor and the attitude,'' said Popp, who comes to Simi Valley after years as a head coach in Carson City Carson City, city (1990 pop. 40,443), state capital, W Nev., in the Eagle valley; inc. 1875. The city is a trade center for a mining and agricultural area. State government is the major employer, and tourism is economically important. , Nev. ``In previous years they've apparently had problems with certain players not getting along with other players. ``Everyone seems to be getting along really well. The seniors especially, they're always hanging out together. They've grown up together and have been friends forever.'' Nine of the team's 14 players - including eight starters - are seniors. ``I like the camaraderie ca·ma·ra·der·ie n. Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship. [French, from camarade, comrade, from Old French, roommate; see comrade. they have,'' Popp said. ``We seem to be pretty cohesive. That's what I was looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. . They all have a common goal: They want to have a winning season.'' The Pioneers went 2-11-1 in league last season. Improving on that record won't be easy with teams such as Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , Royal, Calabasas and Agoura expected to uphold the Marmonte's reputation as one of the area's toughest leagues. Simi Valley opens the season Tuesday at home against Crescenta Valley The Crescenta Valley is a small inland valley in Los Angeles County, California. Its name derives from its crescent-like shape, with the convex portion facing roughly northeast and the concave portion southwest. , one of only two games before starting Marmonte play next week against defending champion defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del título defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre Thousand Oaks. ``I'm not familiar with the surrounding schools and what their teams are like,'' Popp said. ``So it's hard for me to say how we'll do. From what I've heard, there are some very good teams in our league. My goal is to have a winning season.'' The Pioneers' strength lies in their ability to score. Seniors Ryan Burton and Luke Tarr, as well as junior Chris Riccardi, are top scoring threats. The defense is anchored by sophomore Patrick Montgomery, who plays outside fullback when he isn't sharing goalkeeping duties with returning senior Tommy Foster. One area of concern is health as five players were sick or injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. last week. Among the biggest possible losses could be starting defender Greg Medina, who is feared to have suffered a knee-ligament injury during practice. ``We have talent,'' Popp said. ``How we'll fare against other schools, it's wait and see.'' Heather Gripp, (818)713-3607 heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Chris Riccardi, a junior, is one of the top scoring threats for Simi Valley, which is stressing a team-oriented attitude this season Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer |
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