Two Rio Rico seniors have high hopes for the Hawks’ soccer team this season. Carlos and Luis Valenzuela were freshmen when Rio Rico won a state championship in 2007 at Arizona State University, defeating Arcadia, 3-1. They didn’t get to play varsity much then, and both want to lead this year’s team to another Arizona championship. Carlos was second goalkeeper during that championship game. “It was beautiful. Our goalkeeper was injured (that year) and I played some.”

Hawks’ goalkeeper Steven Pacheco stops a shot on goal at soccer drills Monday at Rio Rico High School. Goalkeeper Dana Arbello waits for his turn during the soccer drills.

Immaturity

While Carlos Valenzuela (no relation to Luis) thinks the incoming freshmen are immature, he admits he was in 2007. Carlos Valenzuela said the Hawks are going to be a good team this year, though. Carlos works out with weights as well as running during practice, he said.

Midfielder Luis Valenzuela said the Arcadia game was an amazing experience. This year’s team is “pretty much the same as the 2007 team,” he said. “It’s close to the team we had in my freshman year. We are really connected to each other and we have a lot of speed.”

Luis Valenzuela has been playing with the same players for three years, he said. “We want to be state champs and do the best we can.”

Strong team

Coach Dagoberto Lopez has been with the team since before 2007. This year’s team lost four seniors to graduation, but with seven seniors and four juniors returning from last season and an additional handful of players, the Hawks have a strong team this season, Lopez said. “We have about half with varsity experience and few are three-year varsity players. We have Luis and Carlos Valenzuela who should be great assets in terms of their experience and being hungry because they were there as freshmen.”

Lopez is now looking to Carlos and Luis for leadership. “They should be there as leaders and put the team on their shoulders and take them there (to state),” Lopez said.

This season looks good, Lopez said. With the number of seniors, and experience, the Hawks should improve this year. “Last year was a rebuilding season. Every team we played �“ we only got shut out against Rincon once �“ against every team we played, including the eventual state champions, Douglas �“ we gave them a run for it. I think that should pay off this year and we’ll take it one game at a time.”

At practice Monday, Lopez said the boys are hoping for a scrimmage to sharpen their skills for the Brandon Bean Tournament next week. The tourney kicks off Monday and the girls are scheduled to play Tucson High Tuesday, at 4:30 p.m.

Rio Rico is in Pool B, with Canyon Del Oro, Tucson and Cienega. Nogales is in Pool D, with Rincon, Buena and Catalina Foothills. Pool play continues through Friday. Quarter- and semi-finals are Saturday and the finals are set for Monday. “After that, we’re into our season, starting December first.”

To follow the action, visit www.brandonbean.org/ on the Web.