By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For Monett boys soccer head coach Cristobal Villa, returning six lettermen is a nice place to start when game planning for the upcoming fall campaign.
Back in the fold this year are Alexix Ramirez (Sr.); Mu Ku (Sr.); goalkeeper Oscar Riviera (Sr.); Osvaldo Patino (Jr.); Roberto Perez (Sr.); and possibly Eric Mendez (Sr.).
All of whom were named to All-Big 8 teams one year ago, when the Cubs finished 8-16. The Cubs fell 2-1 to top-seeded Logan Rogersville in the district tournament.
Ramirez produced three goals and nine assists and be looked upon as an on-field extension of the coaching staff.
The team graduated four players (Moo Say, 1st Team All-Big 8; Edgar Salas, Big 8 honorable mention).
But an experienced, returning core has Villa feeling well about this 2022 squad.
Of course, losing two field generals is not easy.
“They were very solid players on the defensive side,” Villa said of the aforementioned duo. “They gave us confidence; they gave us trust on the back end.”
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For Villa and his Cubs, though, the success of the program comes down to one thought: Culture.
“We have a good soccer culture in Monett. Every day, it doesn’t what time, you’ll always see kids kicking the ball at the soccer fields,” Villa said. “We just have a passion … a passion that we put into a game. Competition is fun. We like to compete.”
The team returns “eight-to-nine” starters this year, Villa added.
With the exodus of only four players, the Cubs look to take advantage of the leg-up they have on the competition.
“Pretty much everybody is coming back,” Villa said. “It is just a matter of finding another two players to help us fill in the spots.”
The team will be led by Ramirez (senior midfielder); Ku (senior defender).
Holding down the fort in the box once again will be Riviera (senior GK); Patino (junior midfielder) will share the field with his midfield counterpart, Ramirez); and Perez (senior wing/forward).
Perez finished last season with 12 goals and five assists. Ivan Montelango tallied five goals and four assists.
Senior Ivan Perez moved out of district and is no longer with the program.
Mendez (senior) will be slotted as a forward/midfielder, Villa said, if healthy.
Mendez sustained an ankle injury and underwent surgery approximately “two months ago,” Villa said.
Added Villa: “We don’t know if he is going to be able to make it back or not.”
That premature exit has yielded heavy returns this offseason.
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The Cubs are slated to travel to the Joplin jamboree, where they will meet the host and the Tigers from Carthage at 5 p.m. Aug. 23.
“We are super excited as coaches, [and] I think we will be back again to what we have been doing in the past,” Villa said. “I think our looks are going to be phenomenal. They are young, but experienced. They have learned a lot. I have seen the mentality. They are hungry and passionate.”
Players to watch this season
Keep an eye on the returners, sure.
But keep an eye on freshman standout, Santiago Mejia.
“He is going to do some things for us up top,” Villa said of his freshman. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he will be our goal-scorer. He is good with the ball. He is quick and fast.”
In the sophomore class, watch Aaron Lopez. “He can play pretty much anywhere on the field” Villa said of Lopez.
Osiel Serrano is one to watch, as well.
“He loves the 1-on1’s,” Villa said of Serrano, who notched three goals and four assists last year.
Last year was a tough one, as the Cubs were held to their lowest shooting percentage (2-3 goals per game) in Villa’s tenure, which also is serving as added motivation for ’22.
“Anyone on the team can score. We have a tough schedule forcing us to improve our game in all positions,” Villa added.
The Cubs open the regular season at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at Parkview High School.
