The Malibu High boys soccer team has streaked to its fastest start in 10 years, staking out a 6-0 record to open the 2011-12 season. Their early run of games has been nothing short of dominant, with 33 goals scored and only four conceded. Could a powerhouse be brewing by the beach?
First-year head coach Lloyd Kinnear, a former professional soccer player from South Africa, chalks up the Sharks’ fast start to effort and discipline.
“We are dedicated to training six days a week,” Kinnear said. “We have a phenomenal group of guys and are getting better each day.”
The Sharks have already matched their win total from last season, when they finished 6-8-2 overall and took fifth place in the Frontier League.
With 14 returning players from last season, seven of them seniors, MHS boasts a core with maturity and experience. Added to that foundation are eight new faces that have brought a different spark, energy and individual skill. The early mix of youth and experience has been promising (and in terms of results, perfect).
Three of the four goals they have conceded on the year came in their season-opener, a 4-3 victory over the Viewpoint School. The other matches, including victories over Crossroads, Grace Brethren and Buckley, have been blowouts.
Excelling at both offense and defense, the Sharks have scored at least four goals in each game while posting four shutouts.
The solid defensive effort has been led by sophomore fullback Jacob Gooden and goalies Walker Gareri and Max Watkin. Gareri, a senior, and Watkin, a freshman, have become such a strong combination that Kinnear can rotate either one without missing a beat.
“We have two very good goalies and an outstanding defender in Gooden,” Kinnear, who took over the boys this season after three seasons with the Lady Sharks, said.
Midfielders Gio Landou and Zach Le and strikers Sam Haft and Adam Fote lead a potent offense that relies on Kinnear’s technical coaching and tactical understanding of the game. “Offensively we have the best forward combination in the league and two of the best midfielders in the league,” Kinnear said. “Working with players of this talent is very rewarding.”
The boys last won a league title in 2008 and a California Interscholastic Federation Division V championship in 2000 -2001.
Kinnear feels that with the team’s confidence right now, and if every player does his part, the team could not only repeat those feats, but finish with an undefeated season. “I believe the squad we have can win a league title and a CIF championship,” said Kinnear, who won two league titles and a CIF Championship with the MHS girls for the first time in their soccer history.
The Sharks resume their season on Wed., Jan. 4 with a home league game against Santa Clara at 3:15 p.m. For now, it’s back to work at practice while also enjoying the holiday season.
“The team is gelling nicely together,” Kinnear said. “I’m excited about the boys program. I thrive on challenges and I enjoy the pressure to do well.”