Boys soccer preview: Servite seeks title

It is hard to believe the Servite boys soccer program — as good as it has been over the past decade — never has won the CIF-Southern Section Division I title.

Friars coach Mike Lussier wants to put an end to that.

“We've been good over the last 10-13 years,” said Lussier, who is in his 10th season, “but I think winning a lot of games and winning the game is different, and my guys are tired of being really good and just being right there. We want to be the team that wins it all, and I think our group can do that.”

Lussier said it is only a matter of time until his players hoist a CIF plaque. Servite has come close, losing in the quarterfinals last season to its nemesis, and eventual division champion, Santa Margarita.

“That's how good our league is,” Lussier said. “We're beating each other up every week to get into the playoffs, and then when we are in we run into a team from our league.”

This season the Friars boast a talented group, but they already have been through some turmoil.

A few weeks ago, Stephen Donnelly and Garrett Bradburry were involved in a car accident. Bradburry suffered two fractured vertebras and underwent surgery on his intestines. Donnelly will likely play this season, but Bradburry will not.

“Losing Garrett in the car accident will be tough,” Lussier said. “Without him, we're missing that piece up front. He's the best young forward at our school in years. I was really anticipating him having a breakout year as a sophomore.”

The rest of the puzzle is in place.

Alex Lopez and Tim Pontius will be looked upon as leaders on the field. Servite boasts one of the fastest players in the county in forward Greg Portis, who also plays football.

ACADEMY A HIT?

Hardly. There was not a single coach surveyed who likes the idea of U.S. Soccer having the newly created Development Academy play during the high school season.

Several teams lost top players to the academy.

Competition in the CIF-SS and tournaments in Southern California are as tough if not more competitive than the schedule the academy has set out: playing other club teams that are not even Premiere teams, the highest level in club soccer.

The West Coast Classic in January is one of the toughest high school tournaments in the nation. Case closed? Time will tell.

Contact the writer: mmelendez@ocregister.com