Another year brings another season of high expectations for the Fresno City College Men’s soccer team. As usual, the Rams are set to compete for the State Championship.

Head coach Eric Solberg has coached the Rams for 12 years. In six of those years, he has reached the state final.

But with high expectations also come high hurdles. “It’s a small league we are in, but it’s a difficult league,” said Solberg. “Every team comes in at a peek level. They will be ready for us.”

Solberg expects five or six games before the Rams can find their rhythm. One reason for this is the inexperience of the team. “We have a lot of players that have not played at this level. In junior college, they come across older players,” said Solberg.

The early part of the season features a difficult schedule for the Rams. In just the first week, the Rams have seven games on the schedule. Included in this part of the schedule are four games in five days. The Rams have already found themselves in tough tournaments at Tahoe and Hartnell College.

The Rams got off to a slow start as they lost the first two games of the season. Against Lassen, the Rams were out muscled by a more physical team.

“We have our hands full. In the first weekend we had some offensive issues. We need a break through,” said Solberg.

Despite the slow start, Solberg hopes the first couple of tournaments can help the team bond and bring them closer on and off the field.

Forward Omar Santoyo believes the Rams can overcome the pressure. “A lot of people expect good things from us. We have a very talented team this year. If we work together, we can take the State Finals,” said Santoyo.

Santoyo believes it’s only a matter of time before the team can be great. “As we go our chemistry will kick in. We’ll get better,” said Santoyo.

Freshmen defender Zach Hanson says it’s difficult to practice in the heat, but it should pay off for the Rams. “It’s Fresno, but it’s good. When the other teams are tired, we can play at our best,” said Hanson.

A strong goalkeeping crew should also give the Rams another ntage. Sophomores David Shelton and Carlos Alvarez are joined by freshmen Beau Diaz and Matias Fernandez.

““My first impression of the coaching staff was that they weren’t here to play games. They are here to win and that is it. Coach Solberg is an amazing coach with a nice sense of humor that allows you to enjoy the game of soccer.At the same time, he has you push yourself to the max of your capabilities.,” said Fernandez.

“As for my teammates, I saw a few familiar faces during the offseason that made me feel more part of the team. They are a great bunch of guys that are here to win the title. And I am here to help,” Coach Solberg has spent almost 30 years in soccer as a player, referee, coach and administrator. He has won nine conference titles and has made it to the State playoffs in all of his twelve years as coach of the Rams. In 2002, he won the Western Region Coach of the Year. The only thing missing now is a State title.

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