The Los Gatos High boys soccer team finished one point behind Fremont High for the league championship last season, which cost the Wildcats a Central Coast Section playoff berth.
Even though the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division is competitive and features some strong teams, the second- and third-place finishers are in tough to make the postseason because they’re in a B-league.
To that end, Wildcats coach Joel Fumia purposely beefed up the team’s non-league schedule this season to maximize the point opportunities. So far, so good, as Los Gatos has a 3-2-1 record entering their break before their league-opener at Monta Vista High on Jan. 3.
“I’m pleased with the start of our season,” Fumia said. “We’re off to a faster start than last year and obviously this is my second year in the program, so I’m just more familiar with the high school game and program and players in it. We’re still trying to kind of find our way and our identity as a team, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. Our goal is to try to win league. We were very close [last year] and had a good season, but that’s definitely something we’re looking toward and working hard to achieve.”
The Wildcats have already pocketed three wins over A-league squads in North Salinas, Fremont and Westmont, which will bode well for them come playoff seeding time should they finish with an above .500 record in league.
Fumia pointed out that the team’s 3-3 tie with Menlo School and 2-0 loss to Aptos—both B-league teams—could also pay off at year’s end because those teams have the potential to win their respective league titles.
“So we would get bonus points for beating [and playing] a league champion,” he said. “We want the tough schedule to prepare us for league and put us in the best position possible to qualify for CCS.”
Sophomore wing Max Lees has started the 2023-2024 campaign on fire, leading the team with four goals, including both tallies in a 2-1 win over North Salinas on Dec. 16. Senior Michael Vick—who didn’t play for the high school team in his freshman through junior years because of club commitments—has two goals and three assists through the first six matches.
Vick is a Cal Poly-commit who can play up top or in the midfield.
“He’s a big-time player,” Fumia said. “Unfortunately, he’s injured right now. It’s not a serious injury, and we’re hoping to get him back for January. He’s a potential league MVP type of guy.”
Returning senior and starting center back Jack Fleisher possesses the physical skills and intangibles that every team needs to be successful.
“Jack is just a really good kid, one of our captains, definitely a vocal leader,” Fumia said. “He’s big and strong, good in the air, someone who keeps the other guys in line for us and someone the younger guys look up to.”
Returning senior Caelin Goudy can play defender, midfield or forward and also provides leadership, Fumia said, and fellow returning senior starter Zed Fallside is back at goalkeeper. Juniors Will Enneking, James Niemeyer and Pele Arroyo are projected to contribute and make an impact.
Senior center back Sam Pearman recently joined the squad, fresh off a tremendous season as the kicker for the Los Gatos football team that advanced all the way to the CIF State Division 2-A Championship Game.
Pearman will no doubt be one of the most physically imposing players in the section, though Fumia knows it’ll take some time for Pearman to get in soccer shape. Fumia said he’s excited about senior attacking midfielder Shlok Shrivastava, a transfer who should make an immediate impact.
Due to a variety of factors, Los Gatos hasn’t had its full complement of players, but Fumia expects the team to coalesce come January, just in time for the team’s league opener at Monta Vista.
“With the identity thing, we’ve had some injuries, guys in and out, guys having to sit out,” Fumia said. “It’s been tough because we’re waiting on those guys, and you have to soldier on. I think it will all culminate for the first league game and we’ll have everybody. But in the meantime, you have to rely on the guys to step up.”
