JC SOCCER: MISSION: POSSIBLE FOR MEN'S SOCCER THE EAGLES ARE THE PRIDE OF CAMPUS.Byline: SEAN n. 1. A seine. See Seine. CEGLINSKY Staff Writer Mission College has hungered for a winner since the school's athletic programs returned to competition four years ago after a five-year hiatus, the result of budget constraints. Eagles fans finally have a team to cheer for: The Mission men's soccer team has won two of the past three Western State Conference titles and appears poised to defend its crown this season. ``We're getting more and more support,'' said Mission coach E.B. Madha, also the boys' coach at City Section champion Birmingham High of Lake Balboa. ``We're not out there telling people what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. . There's an interest and an appreciation now. We're getting recognition. Mission is back.'' There have been plenty of obstacles for the Eagles, who have no athletic facilities on their Sylmar campus and practice and play home games at Birmingham. It hasn't stopped the flow of talent: Mission has sent 11 players to Division I programs, most notably Ivan Becerra Ivan Becerra (born May 22, 1984 in San Luis PotosÃ, Mexico) is a Mexican-American soccer forward who last played for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. Becerra played college soccer at Mission College from 2002 to 2003, scoring 34 goals and 19 assists during his two , a San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. High product who starred at UC Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. and now plays for MLS's Columbus Crew The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio that participates in Major League Soccer. The club was owned by Lamar Hunt, who also owned the Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas until his 2006 death, upon which his son, Clark, took over his sports properties. . ``Mission gave me a second chance,'' said Becerra, who scored 34 goals and had 19 assists in two seasons for the Eagles and was named to the NSCAA NSCAA National Soccer Coaches Association of America (since 1941; Mission, Kansas) NSCAA National Small College Athletic Association Junior College All-America team as a junior in 2003. ``The coaching staff was always committed and helped me a lot while I was there. They helped me get to where I am today.'' This season, Mission will rely on the midfield play of brothers Jonathan and Gerrardo Bravo. They'll line up alongside freshmen Eric Moran and Oscar Garcia, who arrive from Birmingham's title team. Forward Rudy Maravilla (San Fernando High) is back after a two-year layoff, and Jairo Martinez (Birmingham) and Doug Aguirre (Reseda High) will anchor the defense. ``We want to be known as one of the best programs around and are committed to making it happen,'' Madha said. sean.ceglinsky@dailynews.com (818) 713-3607 CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: From left, Oscar Garcia, Rudy Maravilla, coach E.B. Madha and Jayro Martinez hope to continue Mission's recent success. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer Box: JC SOCCER |
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