Q&A with men's soccer; Spartans excited for conference action
With the beginning of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference season at MiraCosta College right around the corner, three student-athletes on the Spartan men's soccer team took part in a Q&A where they discussed the upcoming conference slate. Sophomores Juan Carlos Velasco (Oceanside, Calif.), Raul Guzman (Cardiff By The Sea, Calif.) and Yan Guimaraes Pereira De Moraes, along with Head Coach Frank Zimmerman, describe their perspectives on the 2016 season and what they are looking forward to.
MiraCosta will kick off conference action on Tuesday, September 13, at San Diego Mesa College at 7 p.m. The Spartans finished 5-5-2 in the league last season, and will host the second-place finisher in the standings last season in Southwestern for their conference home opener on Tuesday, September 20.
What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming conference season?
Zimmerman: I am looking forward to working with our returning group of players who I think are solid young men. The captain this year is Raul Guzman, who I feel strongly about as a leader, player and most of all as a young man of character.
Guzman: I am looking forward to growing as a team and family throughout the season. With the talent and skill we have on the team, I believe we can go far this season.
Velasco: I am looking forward to the overall season, we have a large group of talented athletes and knowledgeable coaches. I believe this year is going to be great.
De Moraes: I am looking forward to helping take MiraCosta to the playoffs.
Is there a certain game or stretch of games you look forward to? I.E. a game close to your family/home, a game against a rival, a game against someone you know, etc.
Velasco: I look forward to every single game because every game is a new opportunity to improve and better ourselves as whole.
De Moraes: I am waiting for MiraCosta vs Palomar. It is a classic game, so it is always good to play those games with a huge crowd watching.
Guzman: Yes, the game against our rivals Palomar is always fun and competitive.
Where do you see the team finishing in the conference?
Zimmerman: My goal is always to win conference. With the addition of a solid San Bernardino Valley College team, that will be tougher. If things come together for us, we can compete with every team in our conference and therefore compete for the conference title.
Guzman: In the conference, I see the team finishing at the top of the table. The hard work and dedication will have us on top of the conference.
De Moraes: I think that we can win the conference this year! Last year we had a lot of chances, but this season we can make it happen.
Velasco: First off, I am never one to brag. Rather, I am confident in the team and our future. With that being said, I strongly believe we will be great competitors in the league and excel by winning conference.
What are your personal goals this season?
Velasco: Personally, I want to be an outlet for the team and my brothers. I want to help create a family-like environment. I strongly feel that is what will make our good team, GREAT.
Guzman: My personal goals this season are to be a team player and work hard to succeed with the team.
De Moraes: My personal goal is to score and assist as much I can. That way, I will be able to help the team.
What are the team's goals this season?
Zimmerman: Winning record, win conference and make a run in the state playoffs.
Velasco: Our goal this season is to achieve greatness in every aspect, on and off the field. We no longer what to look back at our season and think "what if." We are just going to act.
Guzman: The teams goals this season are to win the conference and playoffs by playing good quality soccer.
De Moraes: The team goal is always try to win the conference.
What can/should fans look forward to when they come to see you play?
Velasco: Fans should look forward to watching great attitudes, a great environment, and great fútbol.
Guzman: A fun and competitive environment where we will try to score as many goals and play attractive soccer.
What will be the key to success for the team this season?
Zimmerman: We must grow as a family and make sure we deny ourselves the selfish desires. We have talent, but are only going to succeed if we play for each other.
De Moraes: The key for success on this team will be the family that we are building. Everyone looking out for each other, everyone running for each other. With this thinking, we are going to be able to do whatever we want to.
Guzman: The key to success is hard work and love for each other that will help us achieve important objectives this season.
Velasco: The key to our success this year will be being consistent and eager to achieve.