BOYS' SOCCER: UNLIKELY TO BE OVERLOOKED AGAIN CANYON FORWARD MIGDOL MOVES TO VARSITY AFTER STANDOUT JV YEAR.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - Justin Migdol did not leave a lasting impression at the Canyon High boys' soccer tryouts as a freshman. He did, however, leave his coach with an important lesson about the tryout process.

After being relegated to the junior varsity, Migdol turned in such a dominant season that the Cowboys aren't likely to soon repeat their mistake of letting even the youngest of players get by with just a quick look.

But no matter how up-and-coming players are evaluated, they could have a difficult time earning a spot in Canyon's offense soon thanks to Migdol, who is expected to be one of the region's leading scorers this season as a sophomore.

``Justin is just a younger version of his brother,'' Canyon coach Pete Getz said, referring to Migdol's older brother Brandon, who earned Foothill League MVP honors last season. ``He is just an awesome soccer player. He is amazing.''

Many shared those sentiments last season as Migdol easily scored more goals than any other JV player in the league.

By the time the coaching staff realized it had erred in its judgment of Migdol, the varsity lineup was already full of players who were stringing together an impressive season that included only two regular-season losses.

``He was just a freshman,'' Getz said. ``I didn't have a lot of time to see all the new players. I obviously didn't get a good-enough look at him. Had I seen what he could do, he would have been with us. It was my loss.''

Migdol wasn't discouraged by being left off varsity. He said he even thinks it was the right move.

``I think it was better for me,'' Migdol said. ``I was too small and would have got knocked around too much. I think I've improved a lot. I'm bigger, and I think I've gotten better, so I'm more ready for it.

``The competition, it's much harder, more physical.''

The move to varsity also meant increased comparisons to his brother, who played at Cal State Bakersfield this season.

``It's most of my peers,'' Migdol said. ``All his friends, when they see me play, they expect me to be like him.''

Migdol couldn't have asked for a better role model. He attended several of his brother's games this year, learning from the higher level of play as well as intensifying his desire to play at the same level.

``He influences me a lot,'' said Migdol, who began playing soccer about 10 years ago ``just as a way to keep busy.''

With so many of Canyon's players knowing his older brother, the younger Migdol had little problem fitting in. Having played alongside fellow scoring threat Alfredo Sainz on JV makes for an even smoother transition in anchoring an offense that will be a key part of the Cowboys' attempt to repeat as Foothill League champions.

Migdol scored his first goal of the season Wednesday in Canyon's 3-0 victory over Camarillo. The game was only his second of the year as illness delayed his chance to prove himself on varsity.

The Cowboys are confident there will be plenty of big performances.

``He'll tear it up,'' Getz said.

Heather Gripp, [phone]

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

MIGDOL FILE

Name: Justin Migdol

Team: Canyon High boys' soccer

Position: Forward

Year: Sophomore

Quote: ``I don't know what they expect of me. I try to be important, to be someone they'd think is an important part of the team.''

- Justin Migdol

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MIGDOL FILE (see text)