LJ b soccer 4, Steele Canyon 2

Senior Lukas Keeling controls the ball in

early action during his return to La Jolla

High soccer. The left-footer scored two goals

in the Vikings' season opener.

(Photo by Ed Piper, Jr.)

By Ed Piper, Jr.

La Jolla's boys soccer team--the defending CIF Division 4 champs--opened its season at Steele Canyon with a sharply-played 4-2 decision on a night where temperatures hung in the 50's Tues., Nov. 29.

Senior Andrew Estrella opened scoring with a straight-on boot from in front of the goal in the 21st minute of play.

Lukas Keeling, who wasn't part of the Viking victory march last year in the playoffs, nonetheless marked his return by netting the next goal three minutes later, a left-footer from the left side.

The former U.S. Academy member, after bouncing a shot off the left post, then drove another shot true into the right side of the goal to put head coach Marcos Gonzales' squad in the lead, 3-0, in the last minute of the opening half.

Newcomer Luis Goehler, who resides near Berlin, Germany, and is visiting for a year, added the fourth La Jolla goal with nine minutes left in the non-league encounter.

"I thought we were really good" for the first game of the season, said Keeling immediately after the win. "Good link-up--good passing.

"We saw each other well."

The deft lefthander, moving smoothly from his forward position, calmly distributed the ball to Estrella and others, and provided the confidence his experience and level of play make possible.

Assistant coach Victor Zendejas agreed that Keeling's play lifted that of his teammates. "We could be a really good team," said the enthusiastic coach, who was part of the Vikings' CIF championship last year. He began to point out newcomers who he expects to contribute.