LJ b soccer: JV's play Bishop's Nov. 17

The Vikings play keep-away during practice

Wed., Nov. 16. Pilar Flores' team had a late

workout, from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m., in the

busy facilities schedule on the La Jolla campus.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Fabio Gomez, a Brazilian, was named new junior varsity coach in the boys' soccer program at La Jolla High, according to head coach Pilar Flores. He will begin duties immediately.

The Viking JV's were set to play a junior varsity representative outfit from Bishop's at Kate Sessions Park, which has "a beautiful field", Thurs., Nov. 17, Flores told his varsity and JV players from last year's team. Coach and players were working on arrangements for early release from class for the entire contingent--varsity and JV--to arrive at Kate Sessions on time. 

"The plan for tomorrow is to go support the Vikings players, with no team practice" on Thursday, Flores told his squad at a late workout session Wednesday night, Nov. 16.

The originally planned varsity scrimmage between La Jolla and Bishop's was scuttled when Bishop's informed La Jolla that CIF required a "cooling-off" period between preseason scrimmages, so a scrimmage so soon after Monday's practice game at Lincoln, which the Vikings lost, 3-0, on three second-half goals, wasn't going to conform to those regulations, Pilar told his players.

Koji Sakamoto, a senior back, has to work Mon., Nov. 21, from 1 to 9 p.m. waiting on tables, so he wasn't going to be able to take part in the practice from 4 to 6 p.m. that afternoon. He and Flores talked about noodles, but Flores said he didn't think an Italian restaurant served (Asian-style) noodles.

Mateo Peniche, a sophomore who started on defense with the backs at Lincoln, was talking about his preferences for the Qatar World Cup, which kicks off Sun., Nov. 20, with the host country playing its traditional opening match.

"Of course, I'd like Mexico, but I think Brazil and Spain have a chance to win the whole thing," the compact defender said. His mother had just made a pot of pozole with guajillo chiles that she shared with another soccer family. His parents are from Mexico City, and his dad works in Polanco, an upwardly mobile section of Mexico City.

The head coach introduced Jonatan Cohen, his newly-hired assistant coach, to the team. "He was one of the top goalies when we were growing up," Flores said. "He is extremely knowledgeable about playing goal and will coach the keepers as well as be an assistant coach in general."