Change aplenty at Garces Memorial
Despite turnover, Rams still elite in Bakersfield Sure, this may not be the same Rams team that won 72 matches over the last three full seasons, winning league and section titles along the way. And sure, the Bank brothers, Fletcher…
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Continue ReadingDespite turnover, Rams still elite in Bakersfield
Sure, this may not be the same Rams team that won 72 matches over the last three full seasons, winning league and section titles along the way. And sure, the Bank brothers, Fletcher and Palmer, are at Stanford.
Things have changed at Garces. The team has eight wins in early February. The roster has 10 freshman on it. And ya, the Rams recently lost to Frontier. But given the depth of the talent, the coaching and the tradition at Garces, opposing coaches and players should really ask themselves if they are comfortable drawing the Rams in the Central Section playoffs.
For one, the eight wins is a product of having so many matches lost due to storms. The Rams have only played 12 matches. With so few matches and so many freshman, it will take time for them to get dialed in. And perhaps this season won’t end the way they want it to, but watch out going forward.
Of those 10 freshman, 6-8 of them will start on any given match day. They aren’t afraid and are getting better, as recently seen by a stretch of seven wins in nine matches before the Frontier loss.
“The mentality with these freshman is there,” head coach Hassan Halevy said. “We’ve got some quality. It just going to take some time for them to dial it in. They need to get used to the speed and physicality at this level.”
Of those 10 freshman, three have been particularly outstanding. And there are two seniors that have been excellent this year as well.
AP Anton-Giovanni, Freshman, Holding Midfielder
Anton-Giovanni is one of the fabulous freshman, and he has an excellent skill set. He is very good with the ball at his feet, he collects the ball well as his touch is excellent, and he turns past defender with ease.
Aiden Gerhart, Freshman, Outside Defender
Gerhart is an outside back that can do it all. He can mark forwards as he has excellent 1v1 defending skills, and he is fast and skilled enough to push up the outside and get involved in the attack.
Jacob Gutierrez, Freshman, Outside Defender
Gutierrez is going to be a special player. He is the counterpart to Gerhart, and can do everything you want of an outside back. He can defend, he can push up, he can play with the ball at his feet. He is an all-around player.
Benjie Jimenez, Senior, Midfielder
Jimenez can play multiple positions, and he mostly features as a holding midfielder or an attacking mid. He has an all-around excellent skill set, with the ability to pick a pass, play with the ball at his feet, facilitate or score. He should be playing college soccer next season.
Matthew Mendoza, Senior, Midfielder
Mendoza is a fearless player. He’s a spark plug for the Rams, and the kind of player that is willing to run through a wall for you. He brings energy to this team and ignites the midfield.