Capistrano Valley

Coach: Ron Willms (20th year).

1995-96: 10-8-5, 7-1-2 in the South Coast League, lost to Esperanza, 1-0, in overtime, in the Southern Section Division I quarterfinals.

Key returners: Zack Brennan, midfielder, Jr.; Mark Greco, goalkeeper, Sr.; Eric Johnson, midfielder, first-team all-league, Sr.; Chris Latini, defender, Jr.; Ricky Parker, defender, missed last season with knee injury, second-team all-section as sophomore, Sr.; Brian Ramirez, forward, Jr.; Taylor Richmond, forward, So.

Key newcomers: Damien Carinchi, midfielder, Jr.; Thomas Damsgaard, forward, Sr.; Bill Hierl, defender, Jr.; Phil Latini, forward, Jr.; Justin Lyons, defender, So.; Justin Roach, midfielder, Jr.; Andre Wendell, defender, So.

Outlook: The return of Parker should give Capistrano Valley one of the best defenses in the county. The Cougars will be young, with only three seniors starting, but they should be one of the fastest teams around. However, the Cougars don’t have the firepower that many of the top teams have, so they’ll have to win a lot of low-scoring games.