Coach Guarneri sees big improvement from a season ago

The Mesa Lady Thunderbirds fell to the Chandler-Gilbert Lady Coyotes on Tuesday, October 25 in Chandler, 4-0, bringing the 2011 season to an end.
 
“Remember what this feels like so when we are in this position next year, you know how to adapt to the pressure of the moment,” said Coach Andrew Guarneri in his post-game speech.
 
Coach Drew will have 10, possibly 11 returnees for his 2012 season. That number will provide the leadership on a team that shows a strong talent level. One of Coach Drew’s freshmen is undecided on her soccer future; however, the fourth-year coach knows this season is part of the Mesa Soccer Program rebuilding process.
 
For the 11 sophomores, the end is bitter. Yet, making the playoffs one season after winning only three soccer matches is a testament to the ladies’ work ethic and Coach Guarneri’s effectiveness with the program.
 
On Tuesday night, Coach Jonathan Berzins’ squad controlled the offensive tempo and scored three times to take a commanding lead into the intermission. 
 
Mesa would play much better in the second half, but it was not to be as Mesa’s season comes to a close at 8-11-2. 
 
Mesa finished 3-14-1 in 2010.
 
“For some reason, we didn’t have enough smarts and enthusiasm in the first half, and that was the difference in this game,” says Coach Guarneri.
 
The men’s season finished on Saturday night as they fell to Arizona Western 2-1 in Yuma.
 
The men completed their schedule with a record of 7-14. Their 2010 campaign saw the T’Birds finish at 7-13. 
 
With marked improvements on the women’s side of soccer, the ACCAC recognized two of the Mesa Lady T’Birds for their exemplary play throughout the 2011 season. 
 
Sophomore midfielder Andrea Duke was voted to the All-Region and All-ACCAC 1st Team as her 28 points on the season ranked her 5th in the conference overall. Duke has 12 goals and four assists in 18 games played. 
 
Andrea Duke
 
Freshman midfielder Kirsten Ryan was voted Honorable Mention for the season. The Grand Junction, Colorado native played in 21 games this season, scoring seven goals and assisting on eight more for a total of 22 points. 
 
Kirsten Ryan
 
Mesa women’s soccer will surely look to Ryan for leadership in 2012.
 
On the men’s side of the field, three players were honored for the strong efforts in 2011. 
 
Freshmen midfielder Michael Markette earned a 2nd-Team All-ACCAC , as was sophomore defender out Hamilton HS, Ricardo Lopez.
 
Michael Markette
 
Ricardo Lopez
 
Markette scored five goals and assisted on five more for a NJCAA point total of 15. 
 
Look for Markette to lead the T’Birds in 2012. 
 
Sophomore midfielder Miguel Romero was recognized as ACCAC Honorable Mention for his strong play in 2011. 
 
Miguel Romero
 
Romero scored four goals and assisted on seven more for a total of 15 points on the season. 
 
Mesa Soccer is on the rise and Coach Guarneri has done a solid job managing both the men’s and women’s programs for four straight years, and that is no easy task. 
 
Coach Drew will assuredly be back on the recruiting trail right away as he knows momentum is picking up and the 2012 season has more promise for Mesa than ever.