Boys soccer: 2A West teams on new ground

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007

Boys soccer: 2A West teams on new ground

by Dan Greenberg | Staff Writer

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It’s been a role reversal for the three teams representing Montgomery County in the Class 2A West boys soccer playoff picture.

Rockville is generally always a threat. The 2005 Montgomery 3A⁄2A⁄1A Division champion Rams would have defended their title and won 10 games a year ago, had it not been for an ineligible player that caused the forfeiture of four wins. Meanwhile, Clarksburg and Northwood — two second-year varsity programs — had more losses than headlines in their debut 2006 seasons, getting the standard ‘‘new program” mulligan.

As the 2007 postseason is set to begin, though, all three teams have done a 180. The Coyotes were among their division’s elite, going 7-3-1 entering their final match, while the Gladiators have gone a respectable .500. Contrarily, the Rams (4-7) have faltered, and reside at the bottom of their division.

But it’s the playoffs, and it’s a whole new ballgame. A season of turmoil can be erased with one hot streak.

‘‘We are not doing well this year and there are a lot of reasons,” said Rockville head coach Abdel Makhlouf. ‘‘Because of injury, we are starting a freshman at goalkeeper and sweeper, maybe the two most important positions. But we were lucky to get a home playoff game because of the lottery, and maybe we’ll luck out [again].”

Hosting North Hagerstown Saturday, the Rams are looking to reverse the karma that has plagued them this year. Standout senior goalkeeper Phillip Dabny sustained ligament damage and has missed all but the team’s first two games, and has been replaced by Ryan Hoppman. And center back Sam Franco has missed almost all of the season with a concussion. Almost all of their good fortune has rested on the right foot of junior striker Luis Rivera, who has scored nine of the team’s 13 goals.

Northwood similarly rode its horse on the offensive end for most of its damage. Striker Juan Velasquez has outscored the 2006 Gladiators with a double-digit point season.

The Coyotes, on the other hand, have had a complete team effort this year. They earned the fourth seed and a first-round bye, and will host Winters Mill of Carroll County in the quarterfinals next week.

They have been one of the most explosive teams in the division all year thanks in large part to best friends Peabo Duoe and Julio Arjona. Duoe, a junior striker, leads the team with nine goals and has added three assists. Arjona, a Bullis transfer, has set him up with knocked some home as well, finding the net six times with a team-high 10 assists.

They could potentially square off in the third round with top-seed Walkersville, who is led by one of the state’s best players, striker Mattia Melillo. But regardless of what happens, it’s been a good run for Clarksburg.

‘‘We will be a seeded team and get a bye, which surpassed even our loftiest goals,” said Coyote head coach Jeremy Spoales. ‘‘I think we are playing really well. I am excited to see it all come together in the playoffs.”