De La Salle, led by seniors, rolling after slow start

[caption id="attachment_39512" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-39512" src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/02/DLS_MonteVista2_174-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Photo: Leo Marchis[/caption] The De La Salle Spartans started the 2021-2022 season very un-Sparty-like. A team that has won 13 North Coast Section Division I titles, 10 of them since 2001, a team that is always considered the team to beat in the very tough East Bay Athletic League, began the year 2-5. In their defense, the Spartans did face stiff competition in those first seven games including matches against St. Ignatius, Serra, Cathedral, and St. Augustine. Since the 4-2 loss to Saints, the Spartans have won 15 of 17 matches, with one being a draw against Monte Vista and the other a one-off loss against Marin Academy during a Saturday match. It all started with a 2-1 win over Loyola followed by a 2-0 win against Orange Lutheran as the Spartans closed out strong at the SoCal College Showcase. "Our losses came to some of the top programs in California," De La Salle coach Derricke Brown said. "We had a crazy start to the season with some bad injuries and COVID. We knew we just had to stick together and the trip south ended up being the perfect trip to establish ourselves as a team." Playing as a team is something that the Brotherhood at De La Salle emphasizes and is something that can help them get through tough times, as it did this year. "The guys have been enjoying each other’s company which has been a staple for all of our most successful teams over the years," Brown said. "I think it's very difficult in such a short season for all of the team members to become comfortable with whatever their role in the group ends up being. With this team it seems everyone is happy playing their part on a daily basis." Nine games into their winning streak, the jury was still out as to who was the power in the EBAL as Monte Vista had started the year with 10 straight wins and was ranked No. 1 in Northern California. Even heading into the first matchup with De La Salle, the Mustangs hadn't lost. But the Spartans drew in that match, shifting the paradigm a bit, then went on to beat them 4-0 on their way to the EBAL title and then 6-0 in the second round of the NCS playoffs. "It was just an odd year where we matched up well with them," Brown said. "We had an awful start at their place during our first matchup but found a tactical adjustment that ended up being the difference moving forward." De La Salle now moves on to play a very strong Clayton Valley team on Wednesday. The Ugly Eagles have just two losses and have been a title contender from the word go this season. The Spartans have their hands full to reach their first final since 2019. Clayton is a very strong team. We have a ton of respect for them and I personally know how great their coaches are with regards to preparation and motivating their players," Brown said. "We do understand that we have to be locked in defensively because they have some weapons and some really great ideas from set plays." Brown pointed to his strong group of seniors, attacking player Charlie Hogan, keeper Dom Sposeto, center mid Noah Schwenger, center mid Anthony Torres and striker JP Hernandez as players that have led by example and have played with consistency. Charlie Ospeck has also been a source of inspiration for De La Salle. A senior who started as a sophomore and junior, he tore his ACL in an early scrimmage in December, but has been at every game and around the team doing whatever he can to support everyone. That's the De La Salle way.