By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– The Chemeketa Community College Men’s Soccer team went through some growing pains in 2024.
They were a freshman-heavy squad with a first-year Head Coach in Martin Maldonado. But through it all, they laid the foundation for this year as they went 4-8-4 and 3-7-4 in NWAC South Region play, and hoping that those growing pains of last Fall will serve as a good thing this season.
“It was really important for me, especially being my first year as a Head Coach and laying that foundation for the second year.So we’re just learning of the ropes of what’s going to happen in the NWAC, it was my first year experience,” said Maldonado. “This year coming out, I got my feet really wet and seeing what’s coming in. We got some incoming freshmen who are going to help the sophomores that came out with a little more experience and trying to create something special this year.”
They bring in Addison Samuell from Stayton, the former Eagle scored a program-best 40 goals as a senior last year, as well as Ian Gomez (McKay) and Johnny Ruiz (McNary) to name a few.
Mikey Garcia (McKay), Emmert Limbird (Silverton) return and are looking to step up as sophomore leaders for the squad this Fall. Transfers like David Garcia, who’s a McKay-grad and was at Western Oregon University last season, and South Salem-grad Tristan Olvera, who was at Long Beach City College last year, add some additional age and experience for a squad that features a lot of local talent.
“We in the Valley, we produce some great kids here. Better way to showcase them here at Chemeketa,” Maldonado said. “I’m a Woodburn kid myself, being one of those outsiders and really incorporate the Valley together. Between the communities, you have one or two kids that could really change a team. You put them all together. It should be a really good combination.”
And with the talent that they have this year, Maldonado is hoping to take the next step. Their style of play is unique, he said, and he hopes it pays off when they host the NWAC Friendlies on Tuesday and Wednesday at Capitol Futbol Club for the first time ever.
“Our style of play is really, really unique to the NWAC, so I’m hoping that it produces some exciting soccer and bringing it to the NWAC,” said Maldonado.
Chemeketa will Tacoma on Tuesday at 3:30pm on Field 2 and Whatcom Wednesday at 12:15pm on Field 2.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
