Douglas High boys soccer

Next man up

Douglas boys’ soccer hopes to grow toward postseason

Alex Diaz dribbles up the field during a contest against Truckee last season. Diaz is one of three senior captains for the Douglas High boys’ soccer team this season.

Alex Diaz dribbles up the field during a contest against Truckee last season. Diaz is one of three senior captains for the Douglas High boys’ soccer team this season.
Photo by Ron Harpin.

By Carter Eckl

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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 Douglas High boys’ soccer put together a memorable campaign last year, capping the season with the program’s first playoff win in more than a decade.
From that team, the Tigers graduated 13 players putting the team on the less experienced side of Class 3A for this fall.
“We lack experience for sure,” said head coach Ricky Diaz. “Regardless, my expectations are high. Our goal, of course, is to qualify for regional playoffs.”
There are four returners that will be critical to helping the Tigers try and accomplish that goal.
Alex Diaz returns for his senior season and will be a staple in the midfield for Douglas this season.
In net, Joseph Thurston also comes back after making his mark as one of the more effective keepers in Northern Class 3A a year ago.
Wiu Wiu will also be back in the lineup and brings some versatility to the Tigers as Diaz expects him to play multiple positions throughout the year.
Those three, Diaz, Thurston and Wiu, will serve as Douglas’ team captains this season.

(Douglas High goalkeeper, Joseph Thurston, directs traffic around the net for the Tigers during a contest last season / Ron Harpin)

Junior Elliot Meza Cervantes will be back in the midfield as well for Douglas this fall.
“He’s been showing some great leadership skills along with his talented footwork,” said Diaz of Meza.
Douglas will still run its 4-3-3 formation from a year ago, but plenty of new players will fill those positions on the grass this season.
Freshman Diego Diaz has impressed in the preseason and coach Diaz – no relation – says his work ethic has stood out early on.
On the back line will be Sebastian Caldera, Hatcher Leiknes and Ivan Euceda Bernales among others.
With the first ‘Battle For Nevada Tournament' taking place over the weekend, coach Diaz says he hopes to piece together the team’s starting lineup after seeing the Tigers in game action.
In Northern Class 3A, Truckee may be the team to beat this fall with a number of seniors, who are potentially looking for redemption after a tough ending to the season last season.

Varsity roster
Alberto Graciano Garcia, So.; Alexander Vargas, Jr.; Alex Diaz, Sr.; Anthony Jimenez, Sr.; Diego Diaz, Fr.; Elliot Meza Cervantes, Jr.; Francisco Gallegos-Graciano, So.; Gustavo Villalobos, Sr.; Hatcher Leiknes, Jr.; Isai Garcia Chavez, Sr.; Ivan Euceda Bernales, Jr.; Jameson Rice, Jr.; Joseph Thurston, Sr.; Luis Diaz Estrada, Jr.; Michael Millward, Sr.; Sebastian Caldera, Jr.; Wiu Wiu, Sr.

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