Graduation was unkind to the Carson High boys soccer team.
The Senators lost 11 players, eight of whom started the majority of games under former coach Eric Masters, who stepped down after two seasons for personal reasons.
The cupboard certainly isn't bare for new coach Medhi Samii, but the Senators won't
put the same experience on the field when they visit Reno High next Wednsday at 3:30 in its season-opening game.
"My first goal is to take it one game at a time and make it to the playoffs," Samii said. "Anything after that is a plus.
"This is a good group of boys. I've coached many different teams on many different levels, but this team has no egos; no superstars. They are all unselfish, totally team oriented."
Four starters are back - Michael Saami, Jon Guevara, Cristian Hernandez and Zach Smith. Samii has been moved to center midfield to team with Guevara, while Smith returns on the back row with Hernandez manning one of the two forward spots.
"I think it has worked well," coach Samii said of moving his son from defender to midfield. "He has a ton of energy. He's a great complement to Jon (Guevera).
"Cristian is patient with the ball. His game has changed. He's much more schooled in our style of play. He's the type of kid who doesn't care if he doesn't get off 10 shots in a gme."
Francisco Barrios will team with Hernandez at forward, while Robert Abundis and Daniel Zuber will play wing spots on the midfield. Mario Escalante and Miguel Ortiz also will be vying for playing time.
Adam Shoaf, Cruz Kerver and Nathan King will start on the back row. Carlos Alvarado, Daniel Limon, Angel Gomez and Milton Rodriguez provide back-up on the back row.
Jose Gonzalez will start in goal. He played his freshman season, but hasn't played the past two years.
"He played with my son and others (his freshman year), but for various reasons didn't play after that," coach Samii said. "They talked to him about coming back to the program. He's very quick and has great reflexes."
Gustavo Villagrana is the back-up keeper.
A year ago, Carson played solid defense en route to making the regional playoffs. Samii said he's a very offensive minded coach.
"I think the best defense is good offense," the first-year CHS coach said.
