Last year the WCAL was the dominant league in the Central Coast Section for boys soccer. Three teams from the competitive league won CCS in three different divisions, with two teams qualifying for the Open Division of the CCS playoffs. The 2019-2020 season looks to be no different.
St. Ignatius
We have to start with the three-time defending league champion Wildcats of San Francisco. While the Cats haven't played anybody yet from the CCS, they already have one title under their belt this season, champions of the Mike Stone Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla. The Wildcats are strong defensively with the return of GK Jack Shelley and are led in attack by senior Reid Pollino. Prior to last year the Wildcats were the two-time defending CCS Open Division champions and looked poised to repeat after losing only one WCAL game all of last year.
However, the Wildcats were upset by Branham in the quarterfinal round and failed to qualify for defense of their NorCal crown. The Wildcats open defense of their WCAL crown on Saturday at home against potential upstart Junipero Serra.
Bellarmine
The most decorated historical team in the league finally broke through last year, winning its first-ever CCS Open Division title, and followed that up with the Division 1 NorCal Championship. This year the Bells are eager to return to the top of the WCAL for the first time in four years. The Bells have already beaten two MBL powers in Alisal and Watsonville and will travel to Dallas right after New Years to take part of the North Texas Elite Showcase.
The Bells return the core of their dominant defense, Tate Hackett and Myles Thomas, while relying on senior Gabriel Martinez to man the midfield. Due to their travels, Bellarmine won't start WCAL play this weekend, and will open on Wednesday, Jan. 8 on the road against Junipero Serra. It also presents a tricky three-game week in the middle of the season, which includes St. Francis and Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Fightin' Irish are the defending CCS Division 3 champions despite finishing in fourth place in last year's WCAL race. They continued their postseason run all the way to the Division 2 NorCal championship game.
Sacred Heart Cathedral is led by the return of first team striker Ellis Brenneman and has already posted an impressive non-league schedule with victories over University-San Francisco, Burlingame, Lowell and Marin Academy as well as a tie on the road against WBAL power Menlo. The Fightin' Irish open their league campaign on the road in San Jose against Valley Christian.
Archbishop Mitty
Despite not qualifying for the CCS playoffs until the second to last game in 2019, the Monarchs ended up winning their sixth CCS championship when Santi Andrade scored the game winning goal against Menlo. The Monarchs return all league players in Noah Robertson, Tyler Stevenson and Thomas Pellino and looked to be balanced out by college bound seniors Timmy Rast and Victor Diaz.
Mitty has already been tested in the De La Salle College Showcase by defeating Fresno power Bullard in a come from behind victory. The Monarchs also defeated powers Branham, 2-1, and Alisal on the road in Salinas 3-0 behind two goals from junior Nicholas Coldiron. The Monarchs open up their league campaign on the road in San Francisco against Archbishop Riordan.
St. Francis
The Lancers, under second year head coach Adriano Toni, made it all the way to the Homestead Cup championship game, before falling to host Homestead, 1-0. Earlier in the tournament the Lancers defeated that same Homestead team, 4-0. The Lancers have already defeated Napa, Prospect and Oakland power Bishop O'Dowd. Due to rival Bellarmine's travels to Texas, the Lancers won't open until Wednesday Jan. 8 when they have the unenviable task of opening at home against St. Ignatius. The Lancers are led by senior Rory Forlan.
Valley Christian
Under former SJSU head coach Gary St. Clair, the Warriors narrowly missed qualifying on CCS on the final game of the season last year. The Warriors look poised to push for a playoff spot for the first time under St. Clair, despite losing numerous impact seniors. One of those that are returning hoping to lead the Warriors, is senior Kristian Yun. The Warriors have already defeated Milpitas, Oak Grove and Harker in their non-league portion of their schedule. Valley Christian will open at home against Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Junipero Serra
It was a tough first year under former college coach and Padres' alumnus Michael Keller last season, as the Padres failed to qualify for the section playoffs for the first time in three years. The Padres have been up and down so far in their non-league schedule, with comfortable wins over Aragon and St. Mary's following up it up with a four game winless streak, which included three losses. The tie came on the road against SCVAL power Palo Alto, but the Padres know if they want to get back into the playoff picture they will have to improve when WCAL play opens. The Padres will rely heavily on junior Ivan Torres in that playoff push. The Padres open up league play on the road against returning champion St. Ignatius.
Archbishop Riordan
The Crusaders have had a tough go of it recently in soccer with constant changes to the coaching program. There is some positive for the Crusaders as they finally opened their home field on campus, which could be a tough out for teams traveling to the city. The Crusaders did win their first game of the season, before losing their next four. Riordan opens their season at home in the new complex, against Archbishop Mitty.
