EBAL League Preview & Player Breakdowns
In terms of being the top dog in the East Bay of California, one league rises above the rest and it is the East Bay Athletic League. Since going to a multi-division classification in 2001 (it was known as 3A…
Access all of Prep Soccer
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn terms of being the top dog in the East Bay of California, one league rises above the rest and it is the East Bay Athletic League.
Since going to a multi-division classification in 2001 (it was known as 3A until 2009 and Division I starting in 2010) an EBAL team has won the North Coast Section championship 15 times in 20 seasons.
Now, you might say that this is a top-heavy league because three teams make up those 15 titles, with De La Salle winning 10 of them (Monte Vista has three, and San Ramon Valley has two) but EBAL teams consistently reach the semifinals and quarter finals, and more often than not win matchups in the first round against teams seeded higher.
“The league will be good, it’s always good,” De La Salle coach Derricke Brown said. “Even when certain teams are down, they always scrap and when you go on the road it’s always tough. The coach’s have done a great job of working with what they’ve got and any team can beat you on any given night.”
The fact of the matter is that the league is deep both team-wise and from an individual talent basis. Here are the players to watch in the EBAL during the 2021/2022 season.
Charlie Hogan, De La Salle, Senior, Attack
Hogan will move around depending on the Spartans shape and the game-plan each night, but some things will not change and that is Hogan’s tenacity, his intensity and how he will press with or without the ball. As an attacker he’s two-footed, always trying to score and makes great runs.
Lucas Pfister, De La Salle, Junior, Wing/Center Mid
Pfister is the definition of a soccer player. He can play any position and is technical at any of them. He’s also a very assertive player and a very fit player, as well. He has evolved into an attacking threat and will get scoring chances. You could see his leadership abilities as a freshman who didn’t play much, but now he’s thriving in that role.
Taylor Higgins, San Ramon Valley, Senior, Forward
Higgins did not play for the Wolves as a junior, having joined the San Jose Earthquakes MLS Next system, but has returned as a senior after realizing he wanted to be a part of the high school experience. Higgins is a highly motivated striker and a vocal leader. While not technically a captain, he is treated and respected as if he were one. He is a unique and special player because he is attack-minded and has great finishing ability.
Logan White, San Ramon Valley, Senior, Center/Outside Back
White and Higgins played varsity together as sophomore and were underclassmen on a senior-heavy team. This translates into White learning how to lead, and because of that he is a captain for this Wolves squad. He is very versatile player who can play all over the pitch, and as talented as he is his strengths lie in his intangibles. He is dedicated, unselfish and always shows heart and courage.
Charlie Haynes, San Ramon Valley, Junior, Forward
Haynes earned a captain’s arm band this year despite being a junior. This dynamic striker will be paired with Higgins, giving the Wolves a lethal combination up top. Haynes has already established himself as a leader, and despite his physical gifts he never stops grinding and has a positive outlook at all times.
Nicky McCune, California, Senior, Keeper
McCune is a very dynamic and athletic keeper with a deep understanding of the game. He has the size (6-2, 190) of a keeper who can play at the next level, and the Grizzlies captain is being recruited by the University of San Francisco and Cal Poly San Luis Obisipo, and should be signing soon.
McCray Madruga, California, Senior, Center Back
Cal’s other captain, who is also being recruited by Cal Poly amongst other schools, is also a three-year varsity starter as is McCune. “Mac”, as he is called by his teammates and coaches, has great size at 6-3, 195 and is a physical and vocal leader for this Grizzlies team.
Logan Smith, California, Senior, Wing
Smith completes this trio of three-year varsity players, but he brings a different package to this team. Logan is a quick and athletic player who is a dangerous threat on the outside. He is also different than McCune and Madruga in that he is 5-9, but he is still being looked at by Cal State East Bay amongst others.
Beau Lopez Beau Lopez D CA , Monte Vista, Sophomore, Center Back
A team’s center back is not usually the flashiest player or the one that gets the most attention, but for the Mustangs this sophomore is a force. A solid defender all around, he has already emerged as a team leader.
Conner Shearer, Monte Vista, Senior, Wing
Shearer has blazing speed and will be a source of goals for the Mustangs. He can play outside back as well, where his speed will be a huge asset. He is a technically gift player who returns to the program after playing academy last year, wanting to rejoin the high school experience with his friends.
Stefan Zanatii, Monte Vista, Junior, Forward
Another very fast player for the Mustangs, Zanatii will feature up top. A player who is dynamite with the ball at his feet, and can create goals on his own.
Thomas Bosso, Livermore, Senior, Stopper
Bosso is a stopper, a very traditional Center Back who’s job is to shore up the back line. He is very quick for a stopper, he is very good on the ball but his best strengths are his intelligence and his decision-making in the back.
Silbano Ortega, Livermore, Junior, Forward
A speedy player who takes advantage of his quickness with short, quick transitions with the ball at his feet. He’s incredibly skilled and a dangerous finisher.
Danny Bochner, Granada, Senior, Keeper
Very fast on his feet, good size, good presence in the box, good natural leader
Landon Ratinho, Granada, Senior, Attacker
W/F/M Very fast player, smart on the ball, good playmaker, good cross and good finishig
Ryan Martin, Granada, Senior, Center Back
Sweeper type, really good in the air, doesn’t let a ball bounce, great in the class, team leader, every coach’s dream in the back line. Tall, athletic center back who can give you a lot in the back line.
Brandon Axton, Dougherty Valley, Senior, Forward/Midfielder
Axton has very good pace, and with his speed he combines a great touch and good finishing ability. He is a three-year varsity starter so he brings leadership to the side.
Keyan Shaughnessy, Dougherty Valley, Junior, Forward/Midfielder
A good-sized attacking player, Shaughnessy has good strength, a quality touch and wins a lot of 50/50 balls because he has the size to take on defenders.
Jayden Albarran and Galen Spies, Dublin, Seniors, Midfield
The Gaels will be strong in the midfield thanks to the presence of Albarran and Spies. Both seniors who offer strong ability and leadership, their experience will be important as Dublin tries to navigate a tough EBAL.
Anthony and Matthew Tahir, Foothill, Midfield
It’s not too often a varsity team has a set of brothers. However, Foothill has three. Let’s start with the Tahir brothers, with Anthony, a senior, and Matthew, a sophomore, both holding down the midfield. Anthony has an unrivaled desire to win and an inner-burning competitiveness that can’t be taught. He’s a very smart player with great vision and shows great leadership. Matthew has great ball skills. His speed of play is very quick, he can make quick decisions on and off the ball.
Adam and Ben Harbourne, Foothill, Keeper/Center Back/Midfield
This second set of Falcon brothers are both seniors, and both anchor the defense. Adam is a keeper and has been a consistent performer for Foothill since he was a sophomore. He is a great communicator, makes smart decisions and is a good shot stopper when a player is in on him 1 v. 1. Meanwhile Ben can play in the back line or in the midfield. Like his brother, he is a great decision maker, he’s also very good with the ball from a control standpoint and making accurate passes. He has a very high soccer IQ.
Ricky and Fernando Cavazos, Foothill, Midfield
Ricky, a senior, has been with the program for two years is now joined by Fernando, a junior, who is joining the Falcons from the De Anza Academy. Both are very gifted players and add incredible depth to the Foothill midfield. Ricky displays great fitness, is great with the ball at his feet and is great when marking a man. Fernando is one of those players with great field vision. He’s a great passer, but even better yet he always seems to find himself in the right position.