JOSE GARAY KICKS WAY TO SEMIPROS SOCCER STAR TO PLAY FOR RATTLERS AND COLLEGE.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN Special to the Daily News

LANCASTER -- Jose Garay is just months removed from leading Palmdale High to a Golden League title in his senior year.

He is now a step closer to playing professionally.

Garay was among 33 players selected for the Lancaster Rattlers training-camp team.

The Rattlers, a Premier Development League soccer team under the Major League Soccer umbrella, will start their inaugural season in April 2007.

``My plans were just to go to (college),'' Garay said. ``I never really thought I'd get this kind of opportunity out of high school so fast.''

Garay, a league MVP and first-team All-Daily News selection, will soon head to Kansas Wesleyan, where he will play as a freshman.

The PDL is structured to accommodate collegians' academic and soccer schedules, and its semipro status protects players' eligibility. The Rattlers are the Antelope Valley's first PDL franchise.

``I'm proud of myself to be able to say I'm playing for the team that's representing the Antelope Valley,'' Garay said. ``There's a lot of great players out here, and to be one of the chosen few is definitely an honor.''

Garay was among about 80 players -- most of them with local ties -- who participated in the grueling four-day tryouts. The tryouts were cut from four to three hours because of the scorching heat, with temperatures well into triple digits all four days.

The Rattlers have two players with professional experience: midfielder Gustavo Lomeli, who played in Mexico, and forward Hady Mendoza, who played in Guatemala.

``It's really exciting. The PDL is a step closer to playing at the professional level,'' said former Lancaster High defensive standout Leo Arabia, who also made the cut.

The Rattlers will begin training-camp team practices Aug. 21. They have another tryout scheduled for the early part of 2007 and will try out individual players on a case-by-case basis, team owner Gerald Brunner said.

``We're very pleased with what I saw out there -- with their ambition and talent, especially in that heat,'' Brunner said. ``We're very excited about what this may bring for the team.''

Lancaster Rattlers Goalies:

Sam Campanelli (Highland), Ian Lovers (Quartz Hill), John Vedin (Palmdale), Zach Brunner (Lancaster).

Defenders:

Leo Arabia (Lancaster), Brandon Howell (Lancaster), Montana Dennis (Lancaster), Josh Hernandez (Paraclete), Tony Larson (Littlerock), Randell Davis (Quartz Hill), Salvador Gonzalez, Russell Welbourn (Quartz Hill), Tim Knittle (Palmdale), Casey Jenison (Quartz Hill), Dustin Miranda (Lancaster).

Midfielders:

Kevin Muenguia (Littlerock), Luis Bojorquez (Antelope Valley), Jamie Hernandez (Palmdale), Chayoth Chantakamo, Mathew Hiss (Palmdale), Julio Robles, Lino Montes De Oco, Rey Garcia, Cody Jenison (Quartz Hill), Gustavo Lomeli, George Medina, Juan Ruiz (Palmdale).

Forwards:

Mauricio Harrie (Highland), Hady Mendoza, Jose Gomez, Jose Garay (Palmdale), Jose Sanchez, Mathayo Huma (Lancaster), Victor Otieno (Antelope Valley).

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Palmdale's Jose Garay will play semipro and college soccer.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer