The Viking varsity soccer team returns with a fresh and revamped roster after a disappointing first round loss in CCS last year.

The outlook on Paly’s soccer season is positive with the return of 10 players from last year’s 7-7-5 team. The team returns this season under head Coach Don Briggs, who joined Paly in 2003 and has led the soccer team through several successful seasons.

With the addition of nine new players, the team will be looking to senior leaders Patrick Alonis, Peter Bianchi, Roy Newman, and Ari Memar.

"Even though we are a young team, I don’t think experience will be a problem because so many players play on club teams outside of school," said junior defender Bubba Paguirigan.

Despite their youth, Briggs is confident in his varsity rookies.

"We have a young team with only four seniors coming back," Briggs said. "We have some talented young players including a couple of freshmen that might make the varsity roster. Our junior group is large and several of them played varsity last year."

While experience may not be a problem, the graduation of league Co-MVP and leading scorer Erik Wardenburg, and offensive player of the year, Manny Barrigan, poses a challenge for the offense.

The Vikings, however, say they are ready and confident.

"With the team that we have, we will not only make CCS, but go to at least the semis" said junior defender Zal Dordi. "I will be disappointed if we don’t make it to the finals,"

While team confidence is high, Briggs realizes that the competition in the De Anza division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League will be very stiff. Briggs believes success depend on the maturation of his young team.

"We are going to be young, so it depends on how well the younger players adapt to the size and speed of the high school game," Briggs said, "With our guys, a 14 or 15 year old could be going against a guy just two months shy of 19."

To combat and prepare this disadvantage, Briggs plans to run the players through many various drills.

"We will work on our ball control (1st touch) and passing game," Briggs said. "In the past, we have been more of a possession team. We may have more team speed than last year so we can adapt our game to several playing styles"

These skills will be invaluable to Paly in league play due to tough competition from defending league champion Homestead, as well as other challengers Gunn and Mountain View.

"We need to be competitive in every game and see how things play out," Briggs said. "Gunn will be tough again and we have been evenly matched the past."

The CCS tournament is still months away, but right now Briggs and the team are focused on doing well in league to give themselves the best possible chance at succeeding in CCS.

"We have to take care of business by doing well in league," Briggs said. "Ask me in February about CCS. Just being invited in the tournament is a nice accomplishment."

Paly plays its’ first game against the Menlo-Atherton Bears on Tuesday, November 21.