The 2017-18 Culver City High School boys’ soccer team has set high standards for the program. The program has always produced competitive teams but now they want to break through that competitive status and reach the championship level every year. Last season they won the Ocean League championship for the first time in many years and this season they want to repeat.
“I love the diversity of talent we have this year,” said assistant coach Michael Castillo after his team’s 2-0 win over Lennox Academy on a cold night last week at Culver City. “We may not be the biggest, strongest or fastest team but we are one of the hardest working and one of the smartest teams and we also have fun out here.”
Castillo is a 2010 Culver City graduate and former player who now teaches social studies and PE at Culver City Middle School. He holds two degrees from Loyola Marymount University and he appears to be a perfect role model for this young team.
“I love the Culver City schools so much I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else,” said Castillo.
The team is currently 6-3 and the head coach is Louie Espeleta. Their next game is on the road against El Segundo at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan.10, and their next home game is Friday, Jan. 12, against Lawndale at 6 p.m.
“It’s a young group this year but we still have a lot of talent,” Castillo said. “ We are not as talented as last year but we have some very good players this year. Chemistry will be the key factor this year.”
One of those players that has talent this year is sophomore Sebastian Jorge Mejia. Mejia plays with passion and energy.
“This is my dream to play soccer high school soccer at a high level,” Mejia said. “I have been playing soccer for six years and I love the competition. This year we have a really good team and we just want to keep getting better.”
Culver City sophomore striker, in the middle of the pack, Mejia Jorge Sebastian is outnumbered in front of the Lennox Academy goal. The Centaurs beat the Panthers 2-0. The young Centaur team is 6-3 and will try to repeat as Ocean League champs this year. Their next game is on the road against El Segundao at 3 p.m. Their next home game is Friday at 6 p.m. against Lanwdale.
Photo by George Laase
