Fall 2017 Preview: Monett Soccer

By Matt Turer – mturer@ky3.com
@MattTurer

Making a run to a state championship game gives more to a program than a pretty banner in the gym. It grows a foundation. People love a winner and want to be a part of one, and that’s what’s happening in Monett.

Nine months after the Cubs lost the Class 2 title game to John Burroughs, Cristobal Villa’s program has an expansive young roster to work with.

“There are a lot of new faces. And they’re very hungry to show their skills,” Villa said. “The extra numbers mean we’ll have a more competitive team.”

If it’s more competitive than last year’s 19-7-1 group, that’ll be one heck of an accomplishment. The 2016 Cubs finished the regular season with 14 wins, then beat Cassville and Rogersville by a combined 12-4 to win the Class 2 District 12 tournament, and then took down Fatima (4-2), Boonville (3-2) and O’Hara (2-0) to put themselves in the state title game, where they fell 4-0 to John Burroughs.

“Now we know what it takes to make it to state, and it will be up to us to make it back,” Villa said. “Improving our schedule to the max is the best we could do and we’re hoping it pays off at the end.

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“This group wants to make their own history and they know how hard they have to work to get there.”

Despite losing seven seniors—including four starters in Cameron Cody (GK), Juan Salas (D), Fernando Belloso (MF) and Carlos Izaguirre (F)—there’s some exciting stuff coming back here, including the obvious: Jason Puente.

Puente is coming off a 48-goal, 12-assist sophomore season and is suddenly (not-so suddenly?) up to 89 goals and 35 assists just halfway through his high school career. That. Is. Staggering. Puente has the speed and technique to create his own chances, the power and accuracy to deliver lethal strikes and the willingness to set up teammates.

Plus, this:

“He’s stronger and faster this year. I’m anxious to see what he can do for us,” Villa said.

That’s scary. And he’s going to have help. Key returnees include Andres Cecenas (D), Bailey Austin (D), Adrian Moncivaiz (MF—15 G, 12 A), Freddy Ramirez (MF—8 G, 9 A) and Eric Young (D). Monett will need a new guy to team with Puente (Moncivaiz, perhaps?) but has much of its back line returning. Also look to names like David Ortega, Wayne Verhoff and Loger Rodriguez.

Plus, a new name (and a freshman): Johnny Perez.

“Our offensive players are raising their hand on every opportunity they have, but as of now we are looking at Perez, who has a lot of potential in attacking,” Villa said. “I’ve seen him to great things this summer, and we are hoping for him to do even better starting Aug. 22 against Republic.”

Monett averaged 3.8 goals per game last season and saw its defense continue to improve throughout the schedule and into the postseason. This group will try to bring both trends into 2017.

“Our expectation is to always do better than the previous years, and most importantly our goal is for every player to have fun,” Villa said. “We want them to enjoy playing soccer, and we are very lucky with their work ethic as we always get more than 100-percent effort. Our boys are very competitive and that’s what I love about them.”