As the Orange Lutheran boys soccer program takes this pitch this week, the highly motivated Lancers are looking to build off of the improvement they saw last season and turn that effort into a postseason appearance.

 

After fielding a younger roster last year, OLu boys soccer head coach Mike Oseguera expects increased competitiveness and improvement from the players. They will be led by two senior leaders, winger Hayden Snyder (Point Loma commit) and center midfielder Jordi Pineda.

 

Snyder and Pineda will be joined by a skilled junior class who will make up a majority of the starting lineup, including players like Hector Arellanes and Xavier Alcantar. Sophomore goalkeeper Ayden Santana will also factor in to the team’s success.

 

“Everyone that's going to start the game is going to be someone who played for us last year,” says Oseguera. “So it'll be great to see what they can accomplish, especially with a more seasoned group.”

 

The program is also showing significant growth, as OLu will field three teams this year, including frosh/soph team with a talented freshmen class. In addition to Trinity League play, the Lancers will be participating in the Huntington Beach All-Turf Tournament and the SoCal College Showcase held at Chapman University. In both tournaments OLu will face some of the top programs, a move Oseguera feels will prepare the team for their Trinity League opponents.

 

“It's great to get that exposure,” says Oseguera. “It adds a level of difficulty to our schedule.”

 

The Lancers are on the road against Valley Christian for their season opener on December 2, and Oseguera is confident that a Division 4 playoff berth is within reach.

 

“Now it's time to be competitive,” says Oseguera. “If you're in the games and you're competitive in those games, you always have a chance to win. That's what we want to do.”