ALL IN THE FAMILY HART SOCCER STANDOUT CASO HAS FOLLOWING.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

The Hart boys' soccer team never needs to worry about a lack of attendance. Not with Mike Caso around.

For every home game, home or away, the senior forward has a large contingency of eight to 10 family members plus friends on hand. The group appears to be an even bigger presence than it really is as it lines the sidelines at Hart, which doesn't have stands.

``First thing we do on game day is call each other to see who can make it and who can't,'' said Tommy Caso, Mike's uncle who owns a popular restaurant in town. ``When one of us can't make it, we man the cell phone. Every two minutes, it's `What's the score now?' ''

They've had a lot to see this year as Mike leads the Indians with 15 goals and Hart is challenging for the Foothill League title.

``I think this team is most talented high school team I've played on,'' Mike said. ``All of us just hustle like crazy.''

Hart gave undefeated and untied Quartz Hill, the Daily News' top-ranked team, its biggest scare, as the Indians led the Rebels 2-0 before losing 4-2.

Caso's family has been attending games since he started playing youth soccer at the age of 8. Attendance is at its pinnacle now, with family members sometimes coming in from Boston and little Casos running around.

With two weeks left in the regular schedule, the family will be making plans for the future. Mike will be attending the University of San Diego next year, playing soccer for the Toreros, his college of choice. He has a spot on the team but no scholarship yet. The scholarships are held by upperclassmen and Caso was told he could get one as a sophomore or junior.

However, the Caso family likely will remain a presence at Hart games. The family is close to a number of students and several work at Tommy's nearby restaurant. For example, goalkeeper Kyle Reynish, who has played with Mike for 10 years, works as a busboy. So does Matt Moore, the Hart quarterback who has committed to UCLA.

``(The soccer players) like to eat,'' Tommy said. ``But they're much better than the football team. Those boys eat too much. I like to have the kids around.''

In this year's Hart soccer program, Mike listed Tommy as his personal hero, something Tommy said makes him cry just to think about. A year ago, Mike put his father, Joe, as his hero.

Since 1993, Joe and Tommy Caso have brought Mike to every Super Bowl, which alone seems like enough for hero status to a son.

Reynish, meanwhile, might join Caso at San Diego. It is one of four schools the goalkeeper is considering.

``We've played together forever,'' Reynish said. ``I'd love to continue at the same school with Mike.''

The only thing that might keep them apart is the expense, since San Diego is a private school, Reynish said.

But the two have some work left to do this season. They are trying to get Hart to at least the quarterfinals of the playoffs for the first time.

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Photo:

Mike Caso, the leading scorer on the Hart soccer team with 15 goals, is one of the most consistent players in the area.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer