Gorman’s Arbalaez duo seeks revenge

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999 | 10:25 a.m.

Spencer Patterson

The way Bishop Gorman's 1998 soccer season ended still leaves a bad taste in Victor "Boomer" Arbalaez's mouth.

With one of the area's deepest, most talented rosters, the Gaels appeared headed for a run at their first state championship since 1992. But their dreams were shattered before a playoff run could even begin.

Midway through the regular season, school officials self-reported a clerical error that had cleared two academically ineligible players to participate. The team was forced to forfeit 10 victories, preventing Gorman from participating in postseason play.

Now, with that memory fresh in his mind, Gorman's top returning scorer is out to make sure his senior year has a very different ending, namely a trip to November's state title game.

"Everybody wants to get revenge on what happened last year," said Arbalaez, the 1998 Sunset Division Player of the Year after scoring 25 goals and tallying 12 assists from his striker position. "It's kind of motivated me to pick it up myself."

As if Arbalaez needed any extra motivation on top of what he already gets from his father -- Gorman head coach Victor Arbalaez, a former collegiate and professional soccer player who has passed on much of his knowledge of the game to his three children: Nick, 19 (a Gorman grad), Boomer, 17, and Jaclyn, 16, currently a junior.

"Sometimes it's probably a little harder because they're my kids and I expect a lot from them," Victor Arbalaez said. "But I keep everything positive, and I treat them just like any other players on the field."

Boomer admits that from time to time, however, he does get an earful after a game or practice.

"Sometimes on the way home, he'll tell me what I did wrong and what I need to improve," he said. "I'm his son, so he wants me to work the hardest."

Despite Gorman's off-the-field problems last season, the Gaels were certainly a force to be reckoned with between the stripes, going 12-2-2, forfeits aside. Boomer Arbalaez was a significant part of that success, earning a reputation as one of the deadliest offensive players in town.

"He's worked so hard the last few years, especially this last summer, to get better," Victor Arbalaez said. "He's not really lacking in any area."

Likewise, the Gaels don't appear to be lacking for quality players, with the core of last year's squad back in 1999.

In addition to Arbalaez, Jared Starbird, Steve Camberio and Scott Godino all bring senior experience to the forward position and the midfield looks solid as well, with seniors Nick Allotta, Nick Iriie and junior Sam Mirkovich all back.

Not that the Gaels will likely need many goals with the stingy returning defenders they have lining up: sweeper Greg Boone, stopper Mike Marrone and fullbacks Josh Carlson and Jason Kefalas. Behind that foursome will be two of the area's top keepers: senior Robbie Nelson and junior Joseph Gonzales.

"I expect a lot from these guys this year," Victor Arbalaez said. "It looks like everybody is focused to go out and prove that we're one of the best teams in the state."