Preps: Lambert, Bengals want crown back

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998 | 11:19 a.m.

Success may have come early for Bonanza's Matt Lambert, but that hasn't taken away from his desire to keep on winning.

As a freshman on the Bengals' varsity soccer team in 1995, Lambert had the rare opportunity to capture a 4A state title in his first year of high school.

The following season, the 6-2 forward helped Bonanza back into the winner's circle, this time as a full-time starter.

But last year, after losing most of his teammates to graduation, Lambert's state title streak was broken, courtesy of a first-round playoff loss to eventual champion Green Valley.

Now, Lambert is out to regain what was taken from him. And according to coach Scott Hunt, the four-year veteran is making sure his fellow Bengals are ready for the task at hand.

"This year, he's really stepped up as a leader," Hunt said. "I noticed that from the very first practice. You could see the difference of being a senior."

"He's stepped it up a lot this year," agreed fellow captain Nick Zurbriggen, the team's starting sweeper.

Lambert's value to the team extends far beyond his leadership abilities. The one-time member of Bonanza's track squad brings blazing speed to his striker position and is a natural goal scorer, netting a club-high 18 last year.

"That's my main asset. I'm really fast," said Lambert, who ran the 100, 200 and 400 meters as a sophomore.

Hunt is quick to point out Lambert brings much more than his speed to the table.

"He's the fastest guy on the team, but he also knows where to be and he can play the ball equally with both feet," Hunt said. "He's a real asset to this team."

With Lambert, Zurbriggen and goalkeeper Ryan Quinn anchoring the lineup, Bonanza should be a contender in the wide-open southern zone this fall.

Traditional powers Green Valley, Bishop Gorman and Cheyenne lost much of their talent from last year, which means 1998 could see the Bengals march back to the top.

And that would be perfect for Lambert, who longingly remembers the feeling he experienced at the end of his first two high school seasons.

"That was like a dream come true to come in as a freshman and win back-to-back state championships," Lambert said. "I hope we can win another state title this year. That would be a great way to go out."