The Analy boys soccer program has been among the best in the Redwood Empire for nearly a quarter century under veteran coach Peter Meechan, and the Tigers look to continue their success unabated in what will be the final Sonoma County League season.
With the specter of SCL realignment of high school sports leagues looming in 2018, Analy figures to be one of several teams vying for the final coveted title this winter.
Last season, the Tigers overcame a sluggish first half to land a spot in the North Coast Section playoff tournament, falling to eventual champion Marin Academy to finish the season at 9-9-2.
“We’re looking to build on last year’s finish and move up the table,” Meechan said. “Our nucleus is solid and we return 16 players from last year’s team. Our goal as always is to qualify for the playoffs and compete for the league title.”
Returning to lead the team this season is a group of veterans that includes seniors; Josiah Miller, Tyler Ripley, Casen Roberts, Quinn Whisman, Oliver Ziemer, Tommy Howley, Isaac Trevino and Riley Bowen, juniors; Jackson Tilden-Browe, Iain Douch, Tom Baty, Miguel Escamilla, Sam Housman, Charles Janssen, and sophomores Arthur Taganashi and Owen Walsh.
First-year varsity players are freshmen Armando Parra and Julian Munoz.
The Tigers figure to be in the middle of a four-team dogfight for the league pennant, with top contenders expected to be Healdsburg, Elsie Allen and Sonoma Valley
“The league should be very balanced and competitive,” Meechan predicted.
Next week: a glimpse of the El Molino boys squad.
