TD soccer has season end in play-in round

Conduting the tryouts are coaches Ryan LeBreton and Stephen Stewart.

The program’s long-term goal is to increase the fundamentals of the game of basketball with some travel games in the Portland area and beyond.

The team will travel for five weekends between November through February for doubleheaders.

There are no overnight tournaments planned.

Cost to participate in the academy is $120 and will only be paid if an athlete is selected.

At the tryout, attendees are responsible to bring basketball shoes, have their hair in a pony tail and a water bottle.

LeBreton said the team is looking at a multiple set of skills, ranging from dribbling and ball handling, to passing, shooting form, speed and quickness, and an overall understanding of the game of basketball.

Le Breton plans to carry 10-12 kids for the fifth and sixth grade team.

Fourth graders are welcomed, but they will be competing against an older group.

Like the CGBA facebook page for more information, or call LeBreton at 541-980-9889.

In his first season as head coach of The Dalles boys’ soccer team, Matthew Dallman created a culture of winning, camaraderie and technical savvy, which will give the program a foundation of success through the years.

Although the Riverhawks came up just short in its state play-in soccer match Saturday, Dallman commended his group for giving it their all for 80 minutes of playoff action against No. 5-ranked Wilsonville.

“I’m incredibly proud of this team,” Dallman said.

Both teams matched each other for the first half, for a scoreless draw, but the Wildcats were able to get their offense rolling in the 52nd minute to take a 1-0 lead.

Wilsonville tacked on goals in the 55th and 59th minutes, before finishing off the scoring late in the contest.

The Dalles doubled its win total, going from two in 2015 to four this season, and added some extra scoring punch, rising from 10 goals scored up to 20 this year.

TD had wins over Redmond, St. Helens and two against Pendleton, and of its 11 losses, five were by three goals or fewer.

“We showed a lot of heart and character throughout the season,” Dallman said.

While bringing in a new system and program philosophy, Dallman credited the seniors Anthony Mora, Alex Gutierrez, Alexis Lopez, Omar Rodriguez, Brandon Bustamante and Aldo Manzo showing leadership by buying into the teaching process and working with the underclassmen on what it takes to be a successful athlete on and off the field.

“As my first year in charge of The Dalles varsity soccer program, I couldn't have asked for a better senior class,” Dallman said. “They showed me nothing but respect and set good examples for the younger guys.”

Dallman added that several of the returners have some big shoes to fill, which will not be an easy task, but he feels the younger players learned a lot and will carry the torch for a run at the Columbia River Conference championship.

This was just the first step, a successful one.

“Next season, I think it will be a lot easier for our team, because we have a lot of returners who are now used to my coaching style,” Dallman added. “They know how I want to play, they know what I expect of them and they know what I don’t like.”

Revamping a roster without six seniors, Dallman will lean on Reed Twidwell, Andy Lopez, Abraham Garibay, Jack Bonham, Pedro Lopez, Alberto Gallegos and Jake Roetcisoender to bridge the gap in Year 2.

The coach has started a soccer academy for players to keep their skills sharp over the winter and spring in time for next summer and fall.

Hood River Valley remains the blueprint to follow, as the state’s No. 1-ranked program, Hermiston broke through with a top-10 ranking and a playoff berth, and Pendleton is a team that has the ability to rebuild for next season, so staying ahead of the curve is pivotal.

“For me, having technical players is crucial,” Dallman said. “When you play against teams like Hermiston and Hood River, you can’t just get by on fitness and hard work – you need to be able to control the game by possessing the ball and you can only do this through ball skills.”