Improved record just not enough

Despite having a solid defense and a strong offense, another year goes by when the men's soccer team was unable to seize a spot in the playoffs.

"We didn't quite reach our entire potential," coach Rudy Zeller said. "We showed flashes of a good team, but we couldn't maintain it."

By the numbers, the Comets not only showed improvement in their 10-7-4 overall record (6-2-4 in the Bay Valley Conference), but also in the number of goals scored and goals allowed.

Last year, their total goals scored totaled 28, compared to 39 this year, both with 21 games played. More impressive was their goals against, which went down to 25 this year from 40.

Goalkeeper Jesse Hernandez and forward Diego Orellana were key factors to the team's defense and offense, respectively.

Zeller said that Hernandez was the team's most dominating player, made great saves and was the leader of the team, and Orellana was the team's "major fire power" in terms of goals and assists.

The Comets' most memorable win of the year was a 3-1 victory against Santa Rosa Junior College, who ended the season ranked third in Northern California.

"We were united and used teamwork to beat (Santa Rosa)," Comet defender Alfonso Martinez said. "That game was a test for us to see if we were a playoff team."

Zeller said he was proud that the team was able to get wins against high-ranked teams like Santa Rosa and Modesto Junior College, and the win against Santa Rosa was the team's high point of the season.

"The game against Santa Rosa was our high point. It was our first victory against the most dominant team in Northern California," he said.

The victory was the first of four in a row with five games left.

The Comets, however, lost their last game to College of Marin.

Zeller said the team's performance against Marin was a low point.

"If we'd have won one more game, it would put us over the top in terms of the playoffs," he said.

That was one of three close losses to Marin, all by a goal.

"We were all upset, but we decided to keep our heads up and try again next year," Comet defender Juan Acosta said.

To prepare for next season, the Comets look to improve on being more consistent in their games, which was a problem that affected the team's momentum.

"We certainly need to be more consistent from game-to-game," Zeller said. "Many games, we played well one half, but poorly the other half."

Contact Dariush Azmoudeh at dazmoudeh.advocate@gmail.com