October 2, 2007

Sports

Leland swamps Willow Glen in water polo play

Rams’ comeback attempts prove fruitless

By Gary Van Den Heuval
Sports Writer

Superior ball control, team defense and speed lifted the Leland High School boys varsity water polo team to a decisive 12-5 win over the Willow Glen Rams Sept. 26 at Willow Glen High School.

Willow Glen goalie Kyle Tom. Photo by Gary Van Den Heuval

The Chargers’ record went to 10-4 on the season and 2-0 in league play in a game that they took control of early and never relinquished. The Rams dropped to 6-5 losses, 0-1 in league play.

"We've seen them play and thought we should be able to win," said Leland head coach Mike Monsees.

His confidence was justified in the play of senior Matt Eisenberg, who not only put on a dominant offensive display but played tenacious, smothering defense, coming up with several takeaways allowing Leland to maintain control of the ball for long stretches.

Eisenberg's goal with just over three minutes left in the first quarter started the scoring, but Willow Glen responded less than 30 seconds later with a score by Sam Brandt. Leland's Sean Kagan recorded two consecutive scores, the second being a vicious hook shot at the end of the shot clock to put the Chargers up 3-1. After another goal each by Brandt and Eisenberg, the first quarter was over with Leland leading 4-2.

"We controlled the ball well," said Monsees, and the second quarter was characterized by long stretches of Leland moving the ball down the length of the pool, then setting up scoring opportunities with patient perimeter passing between Eisenberg and fellow seniors Kagan and Marcus Gartner, notably.

Junior Masahiro Obuchi put Leland ahead 5-2 early in the second quarter with a nice outside shot and after some stalwart defense and a Willow Glen penalty, Eisenberg scored his third goal on a 2-meter penalty shot past Rams goalie Kyle Tom. Gartner slammed the ball in from the right side of the net for a 7-2 lead, and the Chargers were threatening to run away with it but Willow Glen managed a goal from Charlie Kane.

The Rams' attempts at a comeback were continually stymied, though, and Eisenberg scored again right before halftime when he batted a loose ball away from the goalie and deposited it into the net. At halftime Leland led 8-3.

There was little the Rams could do in the second half to overcome Leland. Gartner and Eisenberg added another goal each in the third quarter, offsetting a Willow Glen score by Chris McCarthy at the end of the period.

Eisenberg's fifth and final goal of the game were impressive. After stealing the ball, Eisenberg swam the length of the pool with no one in front of him and slammed the ball in up close. Brandt scored the Ram's final goal on a bouncing penalty shot, but it was much too little, far too late. Gartner's third goal iced the game with forty seconds left and a final tally of 12-5.

Monsees said he was satisfied with his team's performance and stated emphatically that his goal is for Leland to make the CCS top 10. He doesn't see any reason why that shouldn't be a possibility. "We've got good speed and we've got experience," he said.

Opportunity knocks

By Pat Dando
Special to the Times

The problem with “opportunity” is that sometimes we don’t recognize it knocking on our door until the moment passes us by. City leaders can avoid such a fate by seizing the opportunity right now to bring Major League Soccer back to San Jose. In October, the city council will consider taking an important first step toward building a modern outdoor stadium that will house the returning San Jose Earthquakes and, with it, a host of added community benefits.

The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce proudly supports these efforts. As the 10th largest city in the country, we should always strive to bring our region the best in cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities. The return of the Earthquakes represents exciting news for Silicon Valley soccer fans and families, who stand to reap many potential benefits, including:

- A modern outdoor stadium
- Identification with a national and international sport
- A venue for a diverse form of affordable family entertainment

In order to support the creation of a stadium and return soccer to San Jose, the city council will decide whether to allow investors to build a small, well-planned neighborhood in Edenvale. These developers have a unique proposition: instead of pocketing the profits from a successful housing development, they are offering to invest virtually all of the proceeds, along with plenty of their own equity, into a permanent home for the San Jose Earthquakes. This innovative approach deserves support from our city council because of the project’s long-term benefits as a significant public amenity for the greater San Jose region.

As president of the Chamber of Commerce, it may come as no surprise that I support the efforts to bring the Earth-quakes back where they belong. But part of my support also comes from my experience as a mom having raised three soccer-playing children in San Jose. We are a community that has long embraced soccer. Did you know that northern California ranks first in the number of youth and adult soccer participants in the country? Imagine the new clinics, sports camps and community activities that every family in this great city could enjoy as the result of the involvement of Earthquake players.

In the past, the International Olympic Committee hasn't been willing to consider the San Francisco Bay Area as a host-site for its prestigious games—largely due to a shortage of appropriate outdoor venues. Think of the potential. With a single decision by the city council, we greatly improve our chances in the future.

It’s also worth noting that the Earthquakes have a formal commitment from Major League Soccer to host its MLS All-Star game within the first few years of opening the new stadium. This event alone will produce increased hotel and restaurant demand. It will also show that from an international business and sporting perspective that San Jose is a force to be reckoned with. 

Major League Soccer today is identified with our country’s most vital cities and population centers, including Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Denver and Dallas. These cities continue to reap numerous benefits from their soccer affiliations, including job creation, increased visitor spending and significant quality of life improvements for their residents. The Earthquakes will be a great asset to this community.

We’ve traveled this road successfully before. There’s no doubt that the San Jose Sharks and the HP Pavilion have done wonders for our city through international visibility and economic benefits. It is my belief that a stadium and the Earthquakes would follow that same road and provide good things for our community.

This is our opportunity to acknowledge San Jose’s potential in becoming a major league city—and to give our working families a much-deserved community asset. If you agree, join me in encouraging the city council to seize this moment for San Jose. Your voice is vital to this effort. Carpe Diem!

Pat Dando is president and CEO of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce. She served 10 years on the San Jose City Council, her final four years as vice mayor, and as a top aide to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Sports Briefs

Youth Lacrosse coaching opportunity at Bret Harte Middle School
Bret Harte Middle school has an opening to hire a coach for the spring ‘08 Lacrosse season. Youth coaching experience preferred. Traditional sports such as soccer and football make a great foundation. Lacrosse experience not a prerequisite as Lacrosse training will be provided. Responsibility, positive attitude, and patience are required. Season / practice starts Jan. ’08, games begin March 1, ending by Memorial Day. This is a great opportunity to help our youth Lacrosse program grow in Almaden Valley while learning the fastest growing new sport on the west coast. The kids are great, the parents are top notch, and the school supports the program. This is an excellent part time opportunity for a sport-minded college student. Please apply before Oct. 31, to allow time for training, background check, etc. Interested parties should contact Club President Wayne Schatz at 623-4691 or wayne_schatz@sbcglobal.net See also; www.brethartelax.com


San Jose Aces 18U Travel Baseball Team Seeks Players
The San Jose Aces 18U competitive travel team seeks 16-17-18 YO players (no older than 18 years on April 30, 2008 ) for the fall/winter season.  All positions are welcome but especially seeking experienced high school-level pitchers.  Current team consists of players from Branham, Leigh, Bellarmine, Santa Teresa and other local schools.   

This team will compete at local and some regional 18U wood bat tournaments.  Players should have prior travel/tournament and/or high school baseball experience. 

Contact Coach Warren Nagatani at warren@sanjoseaces.com or 449-7229 for tryout, practice and fee information.  You may also visit www.sanjoseaces.com for more information.


The Walk to Cure Diabetes at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale
Scheduled for Oct. 7, this event will help raise millions of dollars for research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications. As one of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s largest fundraising efforts, this event empowers family, community and corporate teams to take action and help find a cure. JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Since its inception, JDRF has put more than $900 million towards diabetes research. In a typical year, more than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and education about research.  Significant dollars come back to fund research grants in the Bay Area at Stanford and UCSF. Registration is 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. Register at: www.walk.JDRF.org For more information, contact JDRF Greater Bay Area Chapter 415-977-0360 greaterbay@jdrf.org www.jdrf.org/greaterbay.

Sports Briefs: Sports Briefs listings are subject to the following fee structure: $25 per month, per publication for the Evergreen and Almaden Times; $10 per month, per publication for the monthly newspapers. Indicate publication placement at the time the listing/payment is submitted. Sports Briefs accepts checks – payable to Times Media, Inc – VISA or MC. To charge your payments call Sonia Pineda at 494-7000 x205. Be sure to reference your team/organization with your payment. Listings appear once payments are received. TMI sponsored events and full-proceed charity fundraisers exempted. Email, fax or mail listing text to: candy@timesmediainc.com 1310 Tully Road, Suite 107, San Jose, CA 95122. 408-494-7078 (fax) Limit 200 words. Questions? Call 494-7000 x225.