Coaches: Jordan Brinkley (head coach), Jonathan Burtea (assistant coach), David Torres (assistant coach)

Top Returners: Diego Andrade (11), Ameer Akram (11), Alexis Arroyo Garcia (11), Mina Besada (12), Anthony Fiorini (12), Kevin Kim (11), Johan Morales (11), Nathan Robinson (12), Alex Rodriguez (12), Aidan Salazar (12), Justin Um (12), Jacob Vasquez (11)

Last Season: The boys soccer team finished last season with a 12-7-3 record, going 5-3 in Crestview League play and showing strong performances both at home and away. The Lancers advanced to the Division 3 CIF Southern Section playoffs, highlighted by key wins over Foothill High, Yorba Linda High School and Canyon High School, before losing to Montclair High School in the later rounds.

Outlook:  The Lancers will enter the season competing in the Crestview League, marking their second consecutive year in the league. Each opponent brings a different challenge, but the team was prepared, said Coach Brinkley.

“Our team’s goal is to win a league title, a CIF title and ultimately a state championship,” he said. “That journey begins by competing in a tough Crestview League against strong programs like Brea, Canyon, Foothill and Villa Park.”

Brinkley said that the team may not be the most physical, but they plan on relying on organization and ball movement.

“We may not be the biggest team in the league, but we want to be the best at moving the ball quickly and efficiently,” the head coach said. “Our focus has been on improving our possession and playing the game the right way.”

The coach said that the road to success would be difficult.

“In high school boys’ soccer, anyone can win on any given day,” he said. “The key is focusing on ourselves, playing our best game, and making sure we don’t overlook any opponent.”

Center-back Akram said the team’s goal is collective success rather than individual recognition.

“We have a lot of talent going into the season,” he said. “Everyone is focused on contributing, supporting each other, and holding each other accountable.”

Co-team captain defender Vasquez said the team’s chemistry has been a strength early on.

“We are working on building team chemistry to build a strong team,” Vasquez said. “I feel very confident going into the season [because] I believe our team can accomplish many things this year.”

Akram said that leadership will be the key to maintaining good communication as the league play approaches.

“I try to help the underclassmen whenever they need it,” he said. “Practice has been good, and we’ve been working on how to play with each other.”

Co-team captain forward Fiorini said the team hopes to gain a win this year against rival Brea Olinda High School.

“Brea Olinda is our biggest rival, and games against them always mean more,” Fiorini said. “We respect them, but we believe in our team, and we know that if we play our style of soccer, we will beat them this season.”

Vasquez said he is ready to contribute wherever needed to the team’s work ethic.

“I’m looking forward to the season,” Vasquez said. “We’ve been working hard in practice, and we’ll see what we can do once games start.”

The Lancers began their league season on Wednesday, Jan. 7 against Canyon High School losing 0-1, and their current record stands at 4-2.

The team hopes to build on their momentum in their next match on Friday, Jan. 30, at 3 p.m., against Foothill High School at home.