Fall Sports Preview: Boys Soccer

Coaches: Rene Ayala and Avery Kindler will keep the ball rolling for the Drake Boys. Kindler is poised to begin his fifth year as a coach in the Drake soccer program. Last year he coached the junior varsity team; this year he joins head coach Ayala as assistant varsity coach. Kindler has seen the team rise, fall, and then rise again as a player for Drake from 2001-03.

Not only does Ayala coach both the boys and girls varsity soccer teams, he is also a physical education teacher at Drake. 

"He is able to work with the kids in both aspects of their life, athletics and academics," Kindler said. "He is able to form strong relationships with the guys. For him that it what it is all about."

Senior Darby Radley described Ayala as "more than a coach." He explained that Ayala's presence on campus allows for ample opportunities to discuss the team, recent games, and form a tight bond with the students.

2009 Highlights: Last year the Pirates had an 11-7-5 record, finishing third in the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL). The Pirates went on to earn a No. 6 seed in the North Coast Section playoffs before losing in the first round.

Returning Players:

This year's team will be an experienced one, loaded with at least 13 seniors returning. Brian Bates, a midfielder, and Radley return this year, coming off stellar 2009 seasons in which they each earned All-MCAL Honorable Mention Honors. That being said, Kindler and Radley stressed that it will be essential for the new group of seniors to step into the leadership void left by the previous class.  

"It is not enough to just to show up," said Kindler, everyone must contribute to the effort.

Seven seniors graduated last year, including two players, Ian Hazzard-Bill and Nick Whittlesey, who were on varsity all four years. "We lost our main goal scorers," Ayala explained, "We may have a hard time finding consistent offense." 

But, hopes remain high. What the 2010 team lacks in offense they will make up with leadership and strong defense.

Looking forward, it is that time of year again when bright bleached blonde hair becomes a little more popular for boys within the hallways of Drake High. Coming off back-to-back NCS bids, the Pirates aim to keep the program moving forward in the 2010 campaign.

Radley put it very simply, "I think we can win it all."

Kindler isn't making any predictions, but agrees with his seniors. "The goal every year is to win an MCAL championship." The team certainly doesn't lack confidence, but who can blame them after two consecutive successful seasons.

Prior to the 2008 season, the last year the Pirates had made the playoffs was in the fall of 2002. That team featured Kindler as a starting defender. That season was followed by a slew of losing seasons. Things have changed for the better since Kindler and Ayala arrived on the scene.

"Coach Ayala has been the biggest difference maker. He has really turned the program around," said Kindler.

It is not just a winning attitude that Kindler and Ayala have instilled in Drake students. Kindler explained how Ayala has raised expectations for the program by scheduling matches with more difficult preseason opponents. 

"We schedule a brutal preseason schedule to set an early tone with our guys," Ayala said. The Pirates begin the season by playing perennial contenders Marin Academy, Sonoma Valley, and Santa Rosa.

"Overall, it should be an interesting season," Ayala said.  

The team kicks off the season against Terra Linda on Sept. 10.

JV: The junior varsity team looks to improve on their 2-6-6 record in 2009. Last season, though, was much more impressive than their win/loss record would indicate. The Pirates did not lose in their last seven games.

This year Jeremy Knudson, who graduated from Drake in 2003, will coach the squad. Kindler expressed confidence in Knudson's ability to lead. "As a teammate, Jeremy pushed us to be better. It will be easy for him to get the kids motivated to play," he said. 

Knudson will have a strong group of returning sophomores and a large freshman class to work with.