Warren boys' soccer team has unfinished business

DOWNEY - The Warren High School boys' soccer team has gotten off to a 0-1-2 start to the 2012-13 season.The Bears lost to Artesia 4-2 on Nov. 19, tied La Mirada 1-1 on Nov. 29 and tied Beverly Hills 1-1 on Nov. 30. The Bears are coming off a 21-3-1 overall record and 9-0-1 league record last season. The Bears were co-San Gabriel Valley League champions with Paramount. Warren was ranked number 1 in the C.I.F. Division III poll for three weeks and went into the C.I.F. playoffs as the number one seed. Warren lost to Palmdale in the quarterfinal round of C.I.F. 1-0. Despite being disappointed with a quarterfinal round exit, Coach Miguel Pena had no regrets about last season. Pena was proud of his team and all they accomplished, particulary the run as Division III number one. Coach Pena returns for his 11th season as coach of the Bears. Warren returns seven starters from last season, including senior captains Brandon Herrerias and Nathan Castillo. Other Bears expected to contribute include midfielder Ramiro Santana, center Martin Moreno and midfielder Fortino Santana. Center Brian Montano and defender Raul Estrada are two key additions from a league champion (9-0-1) junior varsity squad from last year. Once again, Paramount will provide tough competition for the Bears. Paramount is the three time defending C.I.F. Division III champion. Every year the Pirates seem to reload their talent and compete for a title. This year will be no different. Coach Pena maintains that "the Bears will be hunters as well as the hunted this season" due to their league title and number one ranking from last year. Pena concluded by saying that "the Bear is still hungry." Perhaps this will be Warren's year to win the S.G.V.L. outright and get that C.I.F. title that eluded them last year.

********** Published: December 6, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 34