Story Created:
Aug 30, 2010 at 4:30 PM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 30, 2010 at 4:30 PM PST
While starring at Salesian High School in East L.A., Carlos Alvarez helped the Mustangs win Santa Fe League and CIF Southern Section championships.
Now he seems intent on assisting the University of Connecticut men’s soccer team’s quest to win a national championship.
The sophomore forward, coming off a season in which he was named Big East Conference Rookie of the Year, All-Big East third team and a Soccer America Freshman All-American, is one of the reasons the Huskies are ranked No. 22 in both national preseason polls and the favorite to win the Big East title.
During media day, he talked about his role.
“I read the person with the ball and ask for the ball to move forward to help my forward attack,” he said. “It doesn’t matter to me what side I’m on, when I get the ball I go forward so I can play left or right, whichever side it comes, I will be ready.”
Last year Alvarez led the Big East in assists with 11 during a regular season in which he started 19 games. He scored three goals, including two in one game against Harvard.
He had quite a career at Salesian, earning all-league honors four times and All-CIF recognition twice. He was the league MVP two years ago.
He was also part of the under-20 national teams for the United States (2008) and Mexico (2009).
UConn coach Ray Reid has high expectations for the Huskies, who open at home against St. Francis Sept. 1.
“We judge ourselves by national championships,” Reid said. “So we want to get back there. I think our young players will get us there in the next few seasons. I really do.”
Also playing for UConn is senior forward Alan Ponce, a transfer from Rio Hondo College. He was the Foothill Conference MVP in 2008. His six goals last year ranked second on the Huskies.
Around the nation
Alvarez isn’t the only area product doing well in college soccer.
Former Bell Gardens standout Hector Jimenez was a first-team All-Pac-10 midfielder for California last year as a junior. He was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 8 squad.
Cal is picked to finish third in the Pac-10 behind UCLA and Stanford.
Another Bell Gardens product, Celso Alvarez has been the leading scorer for Cal State Fullerton the last two years. The senior forward was honorable mention All-Big West both seasons.
He played a season at Rio Hondo College before transferring.
Eric Escobedo, also a Bell Gardens, grad is a freshman midfielder for Cal State Fullerton.
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