San Jacinto College soccer coach reflects on positives of 2007 season

Rob Vanya - 11/19/2007 San Jacinto College head soccer coach David Santesteban, third from left, talks to the men’s soccer team at the conclusion of the recent National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament.

Following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Marshalltown Community College in the final round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national tournament, San Jacinto College head men’s soccer coach David Santesteban reflected on the 2007 season and talked briefly about returning freshmen who will be key players next year.

“There are many positives to take away from this season,” he commented. “Just to qualify for the national tournament is huge. We won the district title and then we shut out the defending national champions in the first round at the national tournament. There are over 160 two-year schools with soccer programs and to finish among the top four in the nation is nothing to be ashamed of.”

San Jacinto College earned a berth in the national tournament in Tyler by defeating Ranger College and Northern Oklahoma in the Mid-Southwest District Championship. The trip to the national tournament was the third for San Jacinto College in the last four years. San Jacinto College finished third in 2004 and fourth in 2005.

At the national tournament San Jac shut out Georgia Perimeter 1-0 in game 1, but lost to top-seeded, top-ranked and undefeated Georgia Perimeter 3-1 in game 2. The 1-0 loss to Marshalltown in game 3 means San Jacinto College placed fourth in the tournament. Second-seeded Yavapai College defeated Georgia Perimeter to claim the national championship. The final game ended in a 3-3 tie, but Yavapai was declared the winner with a 4-3 advantage in penalty kicks.

After the tournament, Santesteban spoke highly of the sophomore students who will move on, some to four-year colleges and some to other pursuits.

“Leon Williams (who was named to the national tournament all-tournament team) is a tremendous player. He took care of business in the midfield all season long, even though he battled injuries. Edgar Alvarez was also solid in the midfield. Phillip Hagen (defender) was a staunch battler last year and this year. Our sophomore forwards were a productive trio – Roy Hernandez, Ricky Ximines and Carlos Villa.”

San Jacinto College’s finished the regular season 16-2-1 and Santesteban looks back with bittersweet memories.

“Overall, we had a great run,” he remarked. “The ultimate goal is to win the national title. Even though that did not happen, we had an outstanding season. I was very fond of this particular team and had high hopes for them and it’s sad to miss this opportunity to win the national title. We beat Georgia Perimeter in the regular season and yet they eliminated us in the semifinals at the national tournament. But that’s the way soccer is. It can sometimes be a very cruel sport.”

Nevertheless, the coach is excited about a group of freshmen players who he will count on next season to carry on the team’s tradition of excellence.

“Goalkeeper Gabriel Rodriguez got a lot of valuable experience this season and we look for more good things from him next year. Kieron Bernard (defender/midfielder) was a team captain and he will probably make the All-American team. And midfielder Jaime Garcia made the All-Region team and the district All-Tournament team. I look for these guys to work hard in the off-season and really contribute next year.”