Fresno City College’s men’s soccer team had a strong start to its 2022 season, with a record of 5-1-1.

Their only draw to date was against Cerritos College, termed a “SoCal powerhouse” by assistant coach Nick Andersen.

The other assistant coaches include Santiago Aguilera, Carlos Alvarez, Jesse Camarena, and Gabe Banuelos. Aguilera, Alvarez, and Camarena all played for head coach Eric Solberg in the past.

The captains for the team are sophomore midfielders Robert Alcantar and Roman Gonzalez, and defenders Andres Garcia-Diaz and Kaylob Walker.

Although the team had their first loss on Sept. 20 against Fullerton, Walker believes one loss is only “a little bump in the road” towards the state championship.

Last year, the Rams lost in the second round of the playoffs in a penalty shootout with Hartnell College, who went on to fall to Mt. San Antonio College in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship.

They ended with a record of 14-6-3, and were scoreless in only three games. But expectations are higher for this season. 

“Last year, we had a really good team by most people’s standards, and had a good season by most people’s standards, but by our standards, it’s a mediocre Fresno City year…” Solberg said.

“If we didn’t go to the final four or the state championships, it would be a disappointment.”

He believes they will, but he also thinks this season’s schedule is the hardest the team has had since he’s been coaching, meaning it’ll be a tough road to get back there.

United Soccer Coaches’ poll of DIII teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) includes FCC at #5. Three other teams in the Rams’ conference are ranked in that poll, including Taft College at #2, College of the Sequoias at #7, and Merced College at #11. 

Captains Alcantar, Gonzalez, and Walker all believe the team has the potential to go to the state championship. 

“I feel like consistency, knowing who we are, and just putting in 100% effort in everything that we do will continue to help us have a great season,” Gonzalez said.

Their top goal scorer this season so far is freshman forward Andrew Huerta with four goals. Solberg attributes that to his quick first step, and said he “thought he was really good out of high school. He’s absolutely one of our key recruits.”

The Rams’ next game is at home on Tuesday, Oct. 4 against West Hills College Lemoore. The team’s schedule can be found here.