By GANNON HANEVOLD
Moapa Valley Progress
While the Moapa Valley High School Boys Soccer program has had some rough years lately, a new focus, new head coach, and players returning with leadership, might bring the perfect storm. A successful offseason is just the start for this year’s soccer team, and new head coach Randy Tobler hopes to bring a new mentality to the team.
While players like Tanner Johnson and Israel Rubio have graduated, new athletes have already stepped up. The Pirates are hoping for a turnaround, and often it starts from within.
Senior Bryan Robles will look to anchor the team’s offense and also bring a ‘team first’ mindset to the rest of the locker room. Fellow seniors Gabriel Hernandez and Evan Conger will also bring in years of varsity experience to help put things in the right direction.
“Having players with game experience is a huge advantage and can help with the younger kids,” Tobler said. “The older kids are who the younger ones look to and it’s just whether they’ll step into that role.”
Tobler is also excited to see what the younger players on his team have to offer. Sebastean Gutierrez led the team in goals at a club tournament in Cedar City two weeks ago. That just highlights the tip of the iceberg.
“We’re a really young team but I think there’s a lot of players who will have a big impact,” Tobler said. “We have a lot of sophomores like Zach Bailey, Ethynn Fulman, and Fox Soderquist who I think will step up.”
In goal for the Pirates will be Brody Morgan who looks to guard the net with confidence in his first year at Varsity.
The team also looks to focus a new direction strategically. Coach Tobler explained what he expects of his team.
“We’ve changed our formations and changed how we focus on defense,” Tobler said.
Tobler went on to describe his focus on the offensive end as well. “Our first goal is to get more shots,” he said. “Whether they get in or not doesn’t matter at this point. We need shots on goal. I’ve taken the reins off a bit and I want them to keep shooting. They need to fire off some goals and test some of these keepers.”
Tobler hopes to change the mental dynamic in the program as well. He explained the importance of focusing on not just the wins and losses, but also the effect on the players.
“Soccer is important to me and so is being competitive; but there’s more to life than soccer,” Tobler said.
“Soccer exists to teach you principles of life. My focus isn’t just to make a great program but I want it to teach characteristics that will help later on. That’s what it did for me and I’ve seen it do for others.”
As a new coach walks the sidelines, new leaders take the field, and the team’s future athletes fulfill crucial roles, there will be plenty to watch for in Moapa Valley boys soccer this season. As new head coach Randy Tobler stresses teamwork and fundamentals, the team looks to be headed in the right direction. Sometimes change can lead to great things.
Boys Soccer 2018 Season Schedule
JV Varsity
Aug 23 3:00 4:00 Cheyenne
Aug 27 5:30 4:30 Mojave
Aug 29 4:00 Adelson
Aug 30/Sep 1 White Pine Tour. TBA
Sep 04 3:00 4:30 SLAM
Sep 17 4:30 3:00 Sunrise Mtn.
Sep 24 3:00 4:30 Virgin Valley
Sep 26 4:30 3:00 Sky Pointe
Oct 02 3:00 4:30 Chaparral
Oct 04 4:30 3:00 Chaparral
Oct 04 4:30 3:00 Boulder City
Oct 08 4:30 3:00 Sunrise Mtn.
Oct 10 3:00 4:30 Virgin Valley
Oct 16 3:00 4:30 Sky Pointe
Oct 22 4:30 3:00 Chaparral
Oct 24 3:00 4:30 Boulder City
Oct. 30 TBA Regionals
TBA TBA South
All Home games in bold
