MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Jesuit boys

You don't talk about high school boys soccer success in northern California without talking about Paul Rose and Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.). When it comes to national prowess, you can't really discuss that without Jesuit included, either.

The Sacramento-area juggernaut has been a fixture on the national scene for a very long time and behind the legendary Rose will once again be a legitimate national title Early Contender presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and adidas.

After winning a mythical national title in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings for the fall season and earning a No. 2 finish in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, the Marauders are back with three Division I-bound players and depth that Rose thinks can lead to a repeat performance.

But it won't be a matter of steamrolling everyone in their path. The Marauders take on some of the nation's best and also play in one of the best soccer areas in the Golden State. Last season they beat teams from Oregon, Missouri and New Jersey before steamrolling to a Sac-Joaquin Section title behind a 26-1 scoring margin in four playoff contests.



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They will head to the Gateway Classic in St. Louis this season and will look to represent the area.

"Given that three high schools in Sacramento have consistently been nationally ranked and the success of those schools when they travel tells me that our state is as good or better than any other state," Rose said.

The depth will be a big plus this season. Six returning starters always bodes well, but there are also other players who received significant playing time last season. The Marauders will be anything but inexperienced, and they've got tradition that encourages players to rise to the occasion year after year.

"Jesuit has built a tradition of excellence not only in northern California but nationally. We have traveled and successfully beat other nationally ranked teams from Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri and New Jersey to name a few," Rose said.

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Local look: "Jesuit has grown from a regional power, to a state power to a national power under the direction of the single-most influential person in the program: coach Paul Rose. The state's winningest coach demands - and receives - maximum effort. His players revere him, sometimes fear him and certainly point to him as the foundation for their success. Jesuit annually schedules heavyweight programs, shies away from no one, and will maintain the momentum of dominance for years, especially with coach Rose in place, and he has no visions of stepping down soon. He's having too much fun."
- Joe Davidon, Sacramento Bee (@SacBee_JoeD)
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State classification: Sac-Joaquin Section Division I

Enrollment: 1,060 (approx.)

Athletic director: Chris Fahey

2012 finish: 27-1-1 (Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champion. No. 2 in NSCAA poll, No. 1 in MaxPreps Computer Rankings)

Head coach: Paul Rose

Years at school: 35

Career record: 682-96-99



Team achievements: The Marauders have been nationally ranked every year since 1996, they own a section record with 10 titles. Jesuit finished 2003 ranked No. 1 by the NSCAA and finished last season as the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings. The Marauders have won 24-straight league titles, and own the following state records: league unbeaten streak, season shutouts (23) and coaching wins (682).

Notable soccer alumni: Adam Jahn (San Jose Earthquakes, MLS) and Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union, MLS).

Notable facts about school: Jesuit will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. ... Los Angeles Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell graduated from Jesuit. ... The rugby club has won seven national titles.
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Key player losses:

S Niko Hansen (New Mexico)

S Kaba Alkebulan (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)

M Riley Harbour (UC San Diego)



D Evan Glass (Seattle University)

Key returners:

Sr. M Anthony Ayala
 
Sr. ST Evan Barrett
 
Sr. M Tucker Bone
 
Sr. M John Bovill
 
Sr. D Matthew Nemeth
 
Sr. D Kannon Kuhn
 
Sr. D Laith Masarweh
 
Sr. D Alex Arndt

Jr. GK Luc Barbe

Rising contributors:

Jr. ST Diego Buesrostro
 
Jr. ST Gonzalo Garcia
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Toughest games: The Marauders will get a shot at avenging their only loss from last season when they take on Jesuit (Portland, Ore.). They will also travel to the prestigious Gateway Classic in St. Louis. Locally, Davis is a national-caliber squad and Granite Bay played Jesuit to a tie last year in the regular season. Add in Bay Area power Marin Academy, and it's obvious that this program doesn't take it easy on itself.

Question marks: Will the Marauders fall back on their laurels and assume that wins will just come by virtue of showing up? Also, can they stay consistent in the face of an extremely tough schedule?

National look: California is a great state for soccer. But different parts of the state play soccer in different times of the year, so that dilutes its overall prestige on the national scene, as season rankings only include some teams. Marin Academy, from the North Coast Section, was an NSCAA honorable mention squad, and Davis High has been nationally ranked.



In summary: "This year's team has not only great talent with three players already verbally committed to Division I colleges, but it has incredible depth at every position."
- Head coach Paul Rose
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