Marin Academy is a perennial title contender in the North Coast Section of California. Last year's team put the program on the national radar, so the program will look to keep the momentum going.
Photo by Joon Baik
The odds of
Marin Academy (San Rafael, Calif.) winning a North Coast Section boys soccer title are better than choosing heads or tails on a coin flip. It may not be a sure thing, but betting on the Wildcats to win it all in Northern California is definitely a quality wager.
The program located 30 minutes north of San Francisco in California's wealthiest county and plays for school that has high standards for academics and community interaction. That plays a big role in athletic success, coach Josh Kalkstein said, and is a huge reason why Marin Academy is one of 10 boys teams nationwide to be named a national title Early Contender presented by adidas and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Dexter Eichhorst
Photo by Joon Baik
"Marin Academy is a fantastic school both academically and
socially. When
you have all of those elements it makes it easier to build programs as
they continue to attract younger student athletes and their
families," said Kalkstein, in his 17th season at the school. "At
the end of the day we see our fields, gyms, pools, etc., no differently
than our classrooms."
See all the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders The classroom on the soccer pitch will be missing some key players from last season, and younger players have a shot to continue the legacy. It's far from a sure thing, but when you look at this program's track record, it's hard not to think that the Wildcats won't be in the discussion as one of the best in the state and maybe even the nation. Those players who got a little playing time last year could bloom and become major contributors very quickly.
A huge reason is Kalkstein. The UC Berkeley grad has played professional soccer around the world and is also a renowned assistant coach in the Bay Area for the Olympic Development Program, someone who consistently gets great results from his teams.
Another reason for optimism is that the players who came up clutch in a 2-0 victory over Roseland University Prep in the section title game are back. Dexter Eichhorst (now a senior forward) scored one goal and assisted on the other, scored by Noah Paravicini (who will be a junior this season).
Northern California is not an easy place to stay on top, especially in the private school realm in the areas north of San Francisco. But Kalkstein has been around long enough to know what it takes to stay atop the heap.
"We'd like to think we are one of the better programs in
the state, however we are less concerned with how we compare to others. We concern ourselves with our own personal development and growth."
See our special Marin Academy photo galleryLocal look: "Marin Academy is coming off a 21-1-2 season which saw the Wildcats claim their fifth North Coast Section championship in the past seven years. Although the team has lost some top players to graduation, the Wildcats are always stocked with top talent and there's no reason to think they won't strongly contend for another section title this season. The team boasts plenty of dynamic attacking players and a strong back line. A tough preseason with games against Jesuit and Davis should more than prepare the Wildcats for anyone they might face within the NCS."
- Ian Ross, Marin Independent Journal (@IRossMIJ)
