Centennial soccer aims to win state

By Brent Hinckley

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 | midnight

Richard Brian

Centennial senior forward Kevin Rogge (11) looks to control the ball during a soccer game at Shadow Ridge on Oct. 15.

Richard Brian

Centennial senior forward Kevin Rogge throws in a ball from the sidelines during a soccer game at Shadow Ridge on Oct. 15.

Richard Brian

Centennial senior forward Kevin Rogge catches his breath during a soccer game at Shadow Ridge on Oct. 15.

Centennial senior forward Kevin Rogge is one of Southern Nevada's most dominating soccer players. Part of his growth in the sport comes from playing each summer in Europe.

"They're really good and I've been playing there nearly every summer since I was little," Rogge said.

His mother is from Germany and the family would spend their summer vacations there. It wasn't long before he joined a local club team.

"At first they laughed at me and said an American can't be that good," Rogge said. "The last couple times I've gone back, they think it's totally cool and always welcome me back."

Rogge has used that experience to become one of three Centennial seniors who are in their fourth year on varsity. Senior defender Alex Medel and Joe Mikulich are the others.

"They're the core of the team," Centennial coach Tommy Porrello said. "They've been together so long, things just come so easy for them."

Centennial was defeated 2-1 in double overtime by eventual state champion Bishop Gorman in last year's Sunset Regional championship game.

Seven players returned from that squad and they're determined not to come up short again.

"It's still upsetting," senior midfielder Joe Mikulich said. "This is a fresh year and we're working hard and being positive."

That attitude is paying off for the Bulldogs, who are looking to wrap up the Northwest Division's No. 1 seed for the regional tournament, which begins on Nov. 4.

The Bulldogs have won 11 straight games and outscored its opponents 52-17 through the first 12 games. Rogge is leading the way with 25 goals and 12 assists.

While Rogge is the team's leading scorer, he said it's all been a team effort.

"We don't argue and we get along great," Rogge said. "We're able to put plays together and make it look nice."

The goal of an undefeated season is within grasp for the Bulldogs and Rogge hopes it's the first step in winning the state title.

"Undefeated would be great, but only if it gets us better for the playoffs," he said. "I think we have the talent and ability to go to state."

Mikulich added, "At the beginning of the year I thought we'd be okay, but not 10-0 good."

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 990-7822 or brent.hinckley@hbcpub.com.