Men's Soccer Season Preview
The Providence Christian men's soccer team kicks off their season today and Head Coach Franklyn Joseph looks to build on the foundation he and the Sea Beggars laid last year. The 2022 team returns nine familiar faces and welcomes ten new members to the Providence family. In year two of his tenure, Coach Franklyn has already begun making headway in establishing his style of play, development of players, and character growth within the program.
Coach Franklyn created a leadership council to cultivate buy in from the team and to have player input in every aspect of day-to-day operations. Coach Franklyn said, "As we prepare for the 2022 Fall soccer season, I believe that we have a few key contributors on and off the field. Our Leadership Council will continue to serve as a bridge between coaches and players. Their contribution stems from deciding where we stop to eat when we are on the road, to how we do handle structural/disciplinary challenges within the team". The progress has been substantial and evidenced by how the players compete and hold each other accountable. When asked about his expectations for the year, coach Franklyn said, "Despite our team being so young, I do see a strong hunger for growth within all the players. The strength that I have witnessed so far in their character (practices, conversations, etc.), gives me great hope for a season filled with strong faith, accompanied by competitive conviction and an ever-growing desire to grow as a program".
A core group of returners committed in the spring to work on their craft; whether that was on the field, in the weight room, or in bible study together, they committed to give all of themselves in preparation for the 2022 season. Those efforts exposed their hearts for the brotherhood we are now seeing develop on and off the field. It was a commitment to each other, not just self, and that linking of arms has helped propel the team forward in their collective growth. Sophomore Rigoberto Castillo (SO/Cathedral City, CA) (Rigo) was one of the spearheads in that off season commitment, and he looks to have a standout season. When asked about the upcoming season, Rigo said, "I'm looking forward to the season and how we progress academically first and then athletically on the field. We had a tough season last year, but we are feeling very confident about this year; big things are happening." Richie Cortes (SR/Cathedral City, CA), Landin Hurley (SO/Alta Loma, CA), Izayah Lopez (SR/Indio, CA), Erick Martinez (SO/Arleta, CA), and Aaron Watkins were the others that consistently committed in the spring to pull together towards a common goal, often without the prompting of coach Franklyn.
Also returning from the 2021 team is senior Jose Espinoza (SR/Los Angeles, CA) who brings many years of playing experience and leadership to the team. Jose plays with a lot of passion and will add depth to the midfield. Returning from the 2020-2021 team is sophomore goalkeeper Kevin Aranda (SO/Camarillo, CA). Kevin has grown in many aspects since leaving Providence and should make an immediate impact in goal. Jose Campos Amaya (SR/Los Angeles, CA) returns to the soccer team after taking the 2021-2022 season off to focus on his studies and student-life commitments. Campos Amaya also spent the past year coaching club soccer, and that experience should offer him some great perspective as he returns to the field.
Coach Franklyn added three transfers in Kevin Aranda, Vincenzo Costagliola (JR/Palm Springs, CA ) and Ben Rose (JR/Oceanside, CA) and eight freshmen in Tony Cardenas (FR/Perris, CA), CJ Castro (FR/Chula Vista, CA), Alex Martinez (FR/San Bernardino, CA), Aaron Munguia (FR/Los Angeles, CA), Gio Ortega (FR/El Monte, CA), Elijiah Vanderveen (FR/Langley, BC), Graeme Vander Meulen (FR/Valley Center, CA), and Raul Watkins (FR/Chino, CA). The 2022 class is a strong group, not only regarding their soccer acumen, but also in their leadership in the classroom. Vincenzo Costagliola has already emerged as he's demonstrated tremendous leadership through camp and looks to be a field general for coach Franklyn. Franklyn was asked what qualities we should expect to see when people watch his team play and he responded, "From a macro perspective, I want people to clearly see that we are a team with a strong developing character and that we desire to play the sport in the right way, God's way! On a micro level, I want people to watch us play and say, 'they play the game with such purpose and clarity'." He added, "As per normal, we will continue with our character development curriculum. One thing that we are adding this year is our community service project. As a team, we will start this up at the end of the fall conference and are looking to serve at Five Acres, which is located in Altadena, CA". Coach Franklyn loves the small family environment Providence affords and asked for support saying "With our community being so small, I believe this is a strength that allows us (the entire community) to attend each other's events, whether sports or academic, in a quality-oriented way. This in-person support is what we are asking for and most looking forward to as we step onto the field come game day".
The Sea Beggars kick off their season today on the road as they face off versus Cal Pac conference rival St. Katherine's in a non-conference match. The men are gelling as a cohesive unit, but they need the Providence family support, so be sure to check their schedule and get out to see them play.