After just 3 days of official practice these two local teams squared off in a controlled scrimmage at the Turlock Soccer Complex behind Pitman High School.  The Eagles played in 3 shortened halves; the first against the Bulldog varsity squad, next they played their JV team, and then finished with the Varsity once again.

 

The first half resulted in a scoreless deadlock, 0-0.  Both teams had opportunities to score.  Turlock rang 2 shots off the posts and put pressure on freshman keeper Jake Williams but could not get anything across the goal line.  TC also had 2 shots hit the top crossbar and challenged the Bulldog keeper on numerous occasions as well.  The pace of the game was very quick considering how early it is in the season.  Both teams are gifted with outstanding speed and utilize it well.  Senior Kyle Holguin and Sophomore Eli Davis pressured the Bulldog defense with their speed the entire half.  Coming into the year, the TC defense was something of a question due to the graduations of GK Eric Johnson, Stopper Mike Darmousseh, and the football defection of Sweeper Josh MacLaren.  In the opening half we learned that they will be just fine thank you very much!  Anchored by Senior Ryan Wilson at the sweeper position, Senior Philip Hamilton at Stopper, flanked by Senior Zach Dwight and Sophomore Marcus Garcia as outside defenders, and newcomer freshman keeper Williams the D was strong and fast thwarting Turlock chances at every turn.

 

The second scrimmage period was against the Bulldog JV team; the eagles were dominant.  The score was 2-0 and the Eagles controlled the period from start to finish.  Sophomore Eli Davis netted both goals.  The first came on a great through ball played by Shawn Darmousseh.  Eli got to the pass and had a 1 on 1 with the young keeper and beat him with a soft touch toward the right post.  The second goal was courtesy of a terrific cross from Philip Hamilton that Eli settled and drove into the top corner of the net.  The mid-fielders (Darmousseh, Drake Perales-Fr, Sean Hallam-Jr, Kam Holquin-So., Tyler Cahoone-Fr, Juan Rojas-Fr, Joel Hopkins-Jr, and Dong Lee-Jr) controlled this portion of the scrimmage and distributed the ball very well.

 

The final portion of the scrimmage was once again against the Bulldogs Varsity.  TC finished the period up 2-1.  The first goal was set up on another great through ball that was being chased down by Davis.  The Turlock keeper took out Eli before going after the ball resulting in a penalty kick.  Shawn Darmousseh stepped forward and buried the kick for a 1-0 lead.  Darmousseh also scored the second goal on a hard shot from close to the top of the box.  Turlock was able to get the last goal of the day from deep in TC territory as they swarmed a loose ball off a crossing pass and slipped it by Williams.

 

The outlook for the Eagles this year is outstanding!  With the type of team speed they have combined with their outstanding ball skills and depth the team should continue the tradition of soccer success established at TC.