Estancia Eagles boys soccer team aims for glory

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Coach Robert Castellano and the Estancia Boys Soccer team are gearing up for a championship run this year in the Orange Coast League. Over the past eight seasons, the Estancia Eagles Soccer team has consistently earned a spot in the CIF playoffs. This season will be their final year in this league, and team captains John Uchityl, Christian Gomez, and Gabe Johner are determined to lead and motivate their teammates to give it their all. They aim to make this last season in the Orange Coast League truly memorable with their sights set on championship glory.

Coach Castellano believes the team captains, with their complementary leadership skills, can help lead the boys to victory. “The captains all have something different to bring to the table,” said Coach Castellano. “Gabe leads by example; Christian is someone who everyone loves and gets along with; while John is the senior captain who everyone looks up to and is the vocal leader.”

Coach Castellano is proud of his team because of their culture of camaraderie. New players are welcomed and immediately treated as equals, with no hazing allowed. “Our captains have most of the responsibilities on their shoulders … of welcoming new players,” said Coach Castellano.

He most enjoys watching the team bonds that build throughout the season, starting with team dinners before league games and against crosstown rival Costa Mesa High School. Additionally, an annual dinner hosted by Coach Castellano before the first CIF game serves as a bonding ritual for the team.

This year’s team is evenly split between experience and youth with half the team as seasoned seniors, and the other half being younger. “I am looking forward to see how they bond and play with one another,” observes Coach Castellano.

The seniors are veterans, with most having played all four years in high school, and Coach Castellano praised them as “A good group of boys that do a good job of helping the team build chemistry on and off the field. Team morale is pretty strong, and they’re motivated to make a strong run in CIF.”

We’ll be cheering them on in this final season in the Orange Coast League as they strive for the championship.

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