By Chris Parker
Parkview soccer will have to replace much of its scoring from last season’s six-win team. The Vikings will try to off-set the lost offensive punch with a deep roster of players.
“We lost a significant amount of our scoring, but we are deeper from top to bottom than we have been in the most recent five years. I look forward to being able to rotate 6-8 guys off the bench and the level staying consistent,” Parkview head coach Shelby Stewart said. “This team is coachable. They are receptive to criticism and that has allowed us to grow from day one to now. The potential of this group is super exciting.”
Stewart identified Noah Barks (senior midfielder), Christian Cordova (senior defender), Chris Rubio (senior midfielder) and Isac Bravo (sophomore midfielder) as team leaders.
Stewart on Barks: “Noah is a phenomenal student on and off the field. He is our DECA President and in the top 10 of his class. Noah is a natural born leader who will help keep our team focused on our season goals.”
Stewart on Cordova: “Christian is just joining us this year after being a significant part of our boys’ basketball team. He is a natural vocal leader who also brings skill and tenacity to our team. We are excited to add him as a great addition to our other core.”
Stewart on Rubio: “Chris is a vocal leader who leads with his hard work and positive attitude. We are looking for Chris to become a more consistent scorer for us this season.”
Stewart on Bravo: “Isac has been instrumental in getting more kids out to play for our team. He is a hard worker with good foot skills. We are looking for him to step up as a leader on the field and in the classroom this fall. His impact on our team can be instrumental to our success.”
Derek Otieno (senior), Done Martino (freshman), Jaun Castillo (freshman) and David Sisomphou (senior) will also be in the midfield.
Stewart on Otieno: “Derek is a special player who can play defense or offense for us on any given night. He has a great attitude and makes others’ work ethic increase when they are around him.”
Stewart on Martino: “Done looks to play simple and quick. He doesn’t back down from a challenge. We have been pleased with what we have seen from him as a freshman and the impact he is already having.”
Stewart on Castillo: “Juan has raw talent and great work ethic that will allow him to compete for significant varsity minutes this year.”
Stewart on Sisomphou: “David has been a consistent player for us who we are excited to see have a potential breakout year. He works extremely hard and wants success for our team. He has the qualities to be a great leader and an impact player with the abilities to score.”
Cordova will be joined at defender by Kirven Moon (senior), Ethan Fernandez (sophomore), Dang Tran (senior) and Alessandro Danko (senior).
Stewart on Moon: “Returner who doesn’t shy away from contact. Great teammate who always has a positive attitude.”
Stewart on Fernandez: “Basketball player who came out to try soccer and will be a great impact player for us. His athleticism and skill from basketball have transitioned smoothly to soccer and we look forward to him taking our team to another level.”
Stewart on Tran: “Doesn’t shy away from contact. Great kid on and off the field. We look for him to compete for a starting spot this year.”
Stewart on Danko: “Alessandro is great in the air for us and has the ability to coach others from the back line that are new to the sport. We are pushing him to become a more consistent leader for our younger players.”
Preston Wycoff will be the team’s goalkeeper.
Stewart on Wycoff: “Keeper who rotated the starting spot last year. Preston will look to lead the defense and give us a chance in every game.”
Up top at forward, look for Jefry Barahona (junior) and Alex Avila (junior).
Stewart on Barahona: “Jefry has tremendous foot skills and a great knack for finding other players to include in the attack. His speed will allow us some different options at the forward position.”
Stewart on Avila: “Alex will be a returner who saw minutes at several different positions last season. His aggressive play will help our team compete with other teams that might have more experience and upperclassmen.”
Parkview opens the regular season on Sept. 3 at Logan-Rogersville.
“We want our identity to be that we outwork every team on our schedule. We truly believe if we do that, we can compete,” Stewart said. “(Our expectations are) to be the best team we need to be by the post-season, and to grow these young men into better young men each day and allow them to make some great memories while doing so.”
