BOYS' SOCCER: THE SECRET ON THE SIDELINES QUARTZ HILL'S BENT SNEAKS IN TO HELP.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

El Shaddai Bent is described as a sneaky soccer player by his Quartz Hill coach. It's not necessarily something for which he strives.

Being a slight 120 pounds on a 5-foot-7 frame with a team of big, physical players makes it difficult for him to stand out. But the sneakiness is a trait coach Andre Matalon has found handy. When he needs a goal, he knows whom to pull off the bench.

It helps that Bent is a freshman, unknown to teams that have played Quartz Hill in the past. And it doesn't hurt that he begins most games on the bench, behind four players who scored more than 10 goals last season.

``He's very sneaky and I think he has to be,'' Matalon said. ``He's a little player and he's young. But he just finds a way.''

When the Rebels' winning streak was in jeopardy because Matalon was sitting three starters against Simi Valley - one for receiving a red card, one for discipline and one who was sick - it was the freshman who kicked the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory.

After he scored, Bent was taken out. He only played about five minutes in the game. Without that goal, and the six others Bent has scored mostly off the bench, Quartz Hill wouldn't be 10-0 entering the Royal tournament.

``El Shaddai is wonderful, a really good addition to our team,'' senior forward Nick Angelillo said. ``Whenever we need a big play, even as a freshman he comes through.''

Bent has been a blessing for the Rebels. Maybe it shouldn't be surprising. His name, El Shaddai, was taken from the Bible and means ``God Almighty.''

Bent has seven goals in just eight games as he missed two games because he was at the national camp in Florida. Bent also is on the Olympic Developmental Team.

``I learn a lot playing with the best players in my age group,'' Bent said. ``It prepares me to play with the older guys in high school. I like the challenge.''

Even at his age, Bent has all his plans mapped out. First he hopes to go to Stanford. That will take more than his soccer skills. But Bent had a 3.75 GPA in his first semester of high school, taking the more challenging course load with biology and geometry.

Eventually he wants to be a corporate attorney. He already interviewed lawyers and thinks it sounds like an interesting career. But before taking to the courts, he wants to spend more time on the field as a professional soccer player.

``I have a goal to obtain, to play professional soccer,'' Bent said. ``These are like little steps to reach my long-term goal. I'm just constantly trying to challenge myself out there.''

More immediately, his goal is to break into the starting lineup. That might have to wait until next year. But the way Bent is playing, he could sneak in anytime.

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(color) ``He's very sneaky and I think he has to be,'' Quartz Hill coach Andre Matalon says about freshman El Shaddai Bent.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff photographer