Friday, May. 29, 2009

Mendoza makes difference for Pasco soccer

By Jack Millikin, Herald staff writer

PASCO — Eddie Mendoza had a tough choice in 2008.

The agile midfielder, then a Pasco junior, chose to play exclusively for the Crossfire Premier Soccer Club in Redmond, which gave him more tournament exposure to college coaches.

The choice paid off for Mendoza, who was recruited by several Division-I schools -- including UNLV -- before signing with Evergreen College, an NAIA school in Olympia, where he will start as a freshman in the fall.

The downside of that decision was not playing high school ball, which meant missing the opportunity to play with his friends and help defend Pasco's 2007 state title.

"They're like my family, my brothers," Mendoza said of his Bulldogs' teammates.

One year later, Mendoza has returned to finish out his high school career, and the all-CBBN midfielder has made a marked difference just by stepping on the field.

"He's really good on the ball, and when he came in it gave me the chance to play up," said Pasco senior Paul Herrera, who played three years at midfield before switching to forward this season. Herrera recently picked up his first career hat trick in a 5-0 first-round win over Lewis & Clark.

Mendoza adds another dimension to the Bulldogs' offense, which averaged more than three goals a game this season and led the CBBN in scoring. He finished tied for fourth in the league with 10 goals and tied for third with six assists.

"I think he got better," said Pasco coach Mike Pardini. "He transitioned to a new position and became more of a playmaker. He covers a lot of ground."

Mendoza was a starter on the 2007 squad that captured Pasco's second state title. He had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over Federal Way in the championship game.

"We had to work hard. We were underdogs the whole time," Mendoza said.

This time is different.

This time, Pasco (20-0) is ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the nation according to the latest NSCAA/adidas poll. The Bulldogs will play Woodin-ville (10-3-4) in the 4A state semifinals at 8 p.m. today at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood.

"I like being the underdog," smiled Pardini. "But ultimately, being a team from the east side, we should always feel like the underdog."

Class 2A

Prosser (17-3), the league and district champ from the CWAC South, will take on Great Northern League champion Cheney (17-2) at 8 p.m. at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

The Blackhawks, making their 11th state appearance, lost in last year's 2A championship to Sehome. The Mustangs, making their third state appearance, are playing in their first Final Four.

Prosser, which has won eight straight games, is led by forward Mynor Maza (13 goals), Victor Corona (9 goals) and goalie Brian Molina (0.98 GAA, 4 shutouts).

Class 1A

Connell, which won the SCAC East title and the SCAC district championship, is no stranger to the Final Four. The Eagles (18-2) have reached the semifinals five times in the last nine years, winning state titles in 2002 and 2003.

Connell will face Brewster (18-3), the Caribou Trail League champ, at 4 p.m. at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner. The Bears are making their first-ever trip to the Final Four.

The Eagles are led by Eduardo Arzate (20 goals, 11 assists), Freddy Barragan (17, 10) and goalie Jose Garibay (1.07 GAA, 7 SO).