Entering his seventh year as head coach for the boys soccer team at Mingus Union High School, Cade Densmore believes this year’s squad will be one of the strongest he’s coached for the Marauders.

“The core of the team is back,” Densmore said after practice Monday, Nov. 22. “We have several starters back and some new kids that are solid.”

Despite Mingus’ 11-8 overall record in 2009-2010, the Marauders finished a perfect 5-0 in 4A-II Grand Canyon region play, claiming a title.

Within the region, Mingus recorded three shut-out victories and gave up only two goals.

The Marauders lost in the first round of the 4A-II conference state playoffs in February to Palo Verde High School, a team that made it to the state finals before losing in penalty kicks to eventual state champion Cortez High School.

With 13 seniors having graduated last season, Densmore said many teams might underestimate the Marauders’ ability.

“I think we will be solid, and probably surprise a lot of teams. If we can stay healthy with the 15 or 16 kids we have on varsity, I think we can win the region again,” Densmore said.

Top returners for the Marauders include seniors Todd Runyan, Mike Rebstein and Austin Richardson along with juniors Jonathon Witt, Austin Strobel and Williams Dominguez.

Runyan and Witt are two of the better defenders in the region while Strobel is a solid midfielder and Rebstein should be one of the best at the forward position.

As for the newcomers, juniors Alex Contreres and Charlie Ramirez are both back after missing their sophomore campaigns for various reasons and sophomore Alan Mendoza has impressed the Mingus coaching staff, according to Densmore.

At the goalkeeper position, 5-foot, 6-inch sophomore Gilbert Quidera should be between the posts when Mingus begins play next week.

According to Densmore, two of the top goalkeepers slated to play for Mingus were ineligible, and are unable to play this year.
“If there’s an aspect of our team I’m a little concerned about it’s the goalkeeper position, but I still think Gilbert [Quidera] is going to do a great job for us,” Densmore said.

Mingus opens its regular season schedule at Independence High School on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Scheduled start time is set for 6 p.m.

The first home match for the Marauders will be Tuesday, Dec. 7, when Notre Dame Preparatory Academy comes to Cottonwood.