BOYS’ SOCCER PREVIEW:Sea Kings attempting to find identity

Before the season, Pat Callaghan didn’t know what to expect from his Corona del Mar High boys’ soccer team.

There was turnover across the field. Gone were the Sea Kings’ two All-Pacific Coast League performers in defender Paul Knezevic, first team, and midfielder Jon Udahsev, second team. Callaghan also expected to have a first-year goalkeeper as the last line of defense.

But early on, the team demonstrated a personality that makes Callaghan, who is in his seventh season, confident.

“Fitness-wise they’re ahead of every team I’ve coached,” Callaghan said. “It’s a younger team for the most part. Young guys end up working a bit harder. They prepare themselves well. They don’t take playing on varsity for granted.”

With a young team comes inexperience and Callaghan said it would take the Sea Kings (1-6-1) some time to become a cohesive unit.

“They’ll come together. They need to all work as a team. They haven’t played together before,” Callaghan said. “We just have to try to stay positive and make sure they understand that we’re a good team.”

Senior center midfielder Brian Burke, who has a scholarship to play at the University of San Francisco, is the Sea Kings’ top player Callaghan said. Senior Jon Udahsev, who was born in Russia, will start at outside midfielder.

“He’s a strong left-footed player,” Callaghan said of Udahsev.

Callaghan will use two forwards, four midfielders and four defenders. Burke and Udahsev will be key in facilitating the offense in the direction of starting forwards Reed Williams, a freshman, and Paolo Iaccarino, a junior.

“He’s kind of a dynamic scorer,” Callaghan said of Iaccarino. “We try to distribute from the outside defense. Our midfielders will be a strong part of our offense. We’ll work through them. We’ll kick the ball long if we have to.”

Leading the defense will be senior Patrick Suozzi, who is a second-year starter on varsity.

“He’s a vocal defender and a leader on the team,” Callaghan said. “He’s got a lot of energy. He knows the game really well. He just needs to not try to do too much. Just try to keep it simple.”

With a young team it’s a plus that the Sea Kings have time on their side. Two of the best teams in the Pacific Coast League last season are gone and none of the current teams are ranked in the top 10 of CIF Southern Section Division II.

But with a six-team league only three teams are guaranteed a playoff spot unlike four last season.

“That will affect our record,” Callaghan said of the new league. “Our league has dropped off a little bit. Games are won and loss really easily.”

With the focus on preparing the team for league season by improving now, Callaghan said his team hasn’t set any goals yet.