BOYS' SOCCER NOTEBOOK: FOOTHILL START ENDS CANYON'S LAYOFF.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

They started the season by racing to the best start in school history, winning seven of their first eight games and the first tournament title in coach Pete Getz's five-year tenure at the school. Then the members of the Canyon boys' soccer team rested. For 23 days.

Now the Cowboys will learn whether that long layoff hurt them heading into the Foothill League season. Canyon will host Saugus this afternoon, the team's first game since defeating Highland of Palmdale 6-5 on Dec. 17.

``I personally think it's a good thing for our guys,'' Getz said. ``You come out of a tournament and there always are some guys in pain. We take a little break and get into the league without any injuries. At this level, it's not like the guys forget how to play the game.''

Even with school out, Canyon stayed busy by practicing nearly every day. The Cowboys worked on their conditioning and played an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday in preparation for today's opener. Getz said his team's chemistry is better than it has been in years.

Before the break, Canyon won its season-opening Paso Robles tournament, defeating Stockdale of Bakersfield on penalty kicks in the championship. It capped a drawn-out day in which Canyon needed to win two games just to reach the final.

Canyon has received good play from junior defender Brandon Migdol, who has scored four goals on runs from the back, and sophomore sweeper John Cromwell. Getz said Cromwell already is one of the most talented players in the Santa Clarita Valley, despite being in his first year on the varsity.

Senior goalkeeper Brian Louzil, meanwhile, has led the Cowboys to two shootout victories. And Getz said his team is ready to begin league play and build on its early-season success.

``We're ready to go,'' the coach said.

--Family ties: For the second time in his coaching career, Hart's Robert Ciccone has both his son and nephew on the Indians' boys' soccer team. Four years ago, it was Chris Ciccone and Danny Del Do leading Hart to a Foothill League title. This year, Kevin Ciccone and Devin Del Do will try to do the same.

``They've been playing for many years,'' Robert Ciccone said. ``It started with my older son and Devin's older brother. This is the second generation.''

Devin Del Do, a junior, has scored 12 goals as Hart has opened its season 8-1-5. And Kevin Ciccone has assisted on many of Del Do's goals from his midfield position. The two have played together from the time they were toddlers, Robert Ciccone added.

``Devin's a true finisher,'' the coach said. ``and Kevin's the playmaker for the team.''

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Devin Del Do (10), shown battling a Crescenta Valley player last month, and Kevin Ciccone continue a winning cousin combination for Hart.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News