New Carson High boys soccer coach Jason Koop wants his team to know that he's in this for the long haul.
"I'm here to build the program to the best of my ability," Koop said. Koop appears to be off to a good start based on his team's performance at the Galena Tournament on Saturday.
Playing in 50-minute games consisting of 25-minute halves, Carson went 3-1 in the event. The Senators beat Reno, a team it figures to be battling for a Northern 4A playoff spot, 2-1, Incline 5-0 and North Valleys 3-0 before losing to Reed, a team that figures to contend for the Northern 4A title, 2-0.
Carson will open the season with its first regulation game tonight when it hosts McQueen at 7 p.m.
"I'm pleased with where they're at right now," Koop said. "We definitely have some things to work on. But the guys are definitely learning it, to put it into practice on the field."
Koop has implemented a new system in which many of his players are having to learn new positions. Koop has an impressive resume to begin his career at Carson.
He started coaching in 1989. He served as an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach at George Fox College in Oregon and served as the men's and women's goalkeeper coach at Linfield College in Oregon.
Last season, Koop served as the assistant to Randy Roser for the Carson girls team that finished as the Northern 4A runner-up. This past summer he served as an assistant coach and goalkeepers coach for the Nevada Wonders. Koop has been joined by a capable assistant in former Carson High standout Landon Roser, who also plays for the Wonders.
"I'm very excited," Koop said. "I had a wonderful time with the girls last year. I've got a good corp kids. Just the attitude and effort. They want to work.
"They want to be a team. Win or lose they want to be a team. Nobody wants to win more than I do and I think these guys are right in there with that. They're stepping it up. They're hungry to win."
Next year also looks bright for Carson, which has 10 juniors this season. Koop is also counting on his five seniors to provide strong leadership. The Senators missed the playoffs last year, which is something they obviously want to fix this season.
"We're looking for a playoff spot," Koop said. "I think that we can do that. I don't think these guys will be satisfied just to make the playoffs."
The ultimate goal is to win the Northern 4A title to clinch the North's only berth into the NIAA 4A State Championships to be held this year in Las Vegas. Defending state champion South Tahoe and Douglas are also expected to be among the top teams in the North.
"It's going to be pretty evenly matched I think," Koop said. "A lot of parity in the league. I'm kind of not sure what to expect. Expect the unexpected I guess."
Competing to start at goalie are junior Bud Kop and senior Chris Thorson. Among the seniors who should be heavily counted on will be defender Brian Arce, forward Ernesto Ayala and Jeremiah Schenzel, who has switched to a forward position.
One of Carson's top players figures to be junior Loren Wooldridge, who played with the Wonders this past summer.
"You can tell the difference in his physicalness," Koop said. "The way he handles himself on the field."
Among the center midfielders is Logan Ahl. He'll be joined by "four outside midfielders that can run. I think that's going to be important for us," Koop said.
Among the outside midfielders is Royal Good, who is learning a new position. Good played mostly on defense last year when he earned all-league first team honors.
Good will be joined on the outside by Edgar Gomez, Sam Rojas and Enrique Mendoza. Senior Kurt Schlicker will be Carson's utility player.
"Whe we need him, Johnny-on-the-spot typ of guy," said Koop in describing Schlicker. "He's comfortable with wherever."
Joining Arce on defense will be junior Jordan Wilcher, senior Julio DeLeon, junior Jose Aguilar and sophomore Mats Boehnke.
