Chemistry is key to TD boys soccer success

“So far, they have shown a good work ethic and an excellent attitude,” said TD’s second-year head coach Greg Burkart. “They are willing to accept work. I think they realize that working hard is the key in order to get the team to success.”

In his first season as coach, Burkart and assistant coach Jonathan Garrett helped guide the Riverhawks to an increase in goals scored from 24 in 2013 to 33 last season, a top-10 ranking and a doubling of wins from three up to six.

The Riverhawks had five senior athletes pick up all-league honors, so now some of the returning players will be called upon to pick some of the offensive slack.

“I think we have some good forwards and attacking mids who can get the ball to the right places to score,” said Manuel Ruiz, a senior center midfielder. “As long as we can make good passes, share the ball and get good shots, I think we can be tough.”

The Dalles started 2014 by winning four of its first five games with wins over Redmond, St. Helens, Ridgeview and Madras.

In those contests, the Riverhawks outscored those opponents by a 20-6 margin.

Because of that start, The Dalles moved up the 5A rankings to as high as No. 7. Given everything the team experienced, Burkart was proud of his team for sticking with the process.

“Most of our returners played significant varsity minutes last year,” Burkart said. “I am excited. We will see how it goes. Our goal every year is to get better week-by-week and not get too high with success and not get too down with some setbacks. We will just look at it as our opportunity to get better.”

Luis Diaz, Abraham Garibay, Alex Lopez, Reed Twidwell, Jose Ornelas and Aldo Manzo make up some of the other key contributors to the Riverhawk team.

Rodriguez feels like the depth of the team is improving quickly, meaning the burden may not lie so much on the defense.

“This year, we’re not going around one or two people,” Rodriguez said. “We’re actually all kind of working together as a team instead of relying on our strikers. We’re getting better at dropping the ball and working it. We all work pretty hard together.”

Playing better from the get-go in its early games can also help with confidence and team chemistry.

“This team is a lot closer than it was last year. We are like a family,” Ruiz said. “When you have that, it makes everything better because we don’t yell at each other and get down on each other, we help our teammates get better. That’s the way we will play this year.”

Overall, the Riverhawks held opposing teams to two goals or fewer in nine matches with two shutouts.

The Dalles went 2-6-1 in the final month of the regular season and lost 2-0 to La Salle Prep in state playoff game on Nov. 1, 2014.

If they can continue to improve and make the proper adjustments to Burkart’s system, the Hawks could make a deeper run.

“I think we have the potential,” Burkart said. “It’s kind of going to depend on them. Right now, we are starting really well. If we continue to progress as we have, then we should do really well. I definitely have high hopes for us.”

With the Riverhawks in the Columbia River Conference with Pendleton, Hermiston and Hood River this season, Rodriguez expects the battles to be just as furious and hard-fought.

The goal is to at least finish in the top-3 and maybe higher to do some damage in the postseason.

“We don’t care who goes out there, whether it is Pendleton, Hood River or whoever, we are going to play hard, play tough and give our opponents 80 minutes of good soccer,” Rodriguez said. “If we can do that, maybe we can win a championship.”

TD played in a jamboree today at Century.

At 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, the team travels to Redmond.