Community Champions: Del Valle Boys Soccer Team

The Del Valle boys soccer team is used to having a target on its back, so the fact everyone brings their “A-game” to beat them doesn’t concern the team.

“These guys have been playing forever with a target on their back because they’ve had good success here,” said head coach Bruce Reichman. “It makes everyone’s season to play us, so they’re kind of used to having a target.”

After all, the Conquistadores are ranked in the top 25 in the state by Maxpreps and even beat Eastlake earlier in the year – an incredibly talented team fresh off a Final Four appearance last season.

Del Valle is hoping for a deep playoff run itself this season. They’re even labeled their run this year “The Quest.”

So far, the journey has been smooth. Del Valle is atop the District 2-5A standings and has only lost once – a narrow defeat at the hands of Bel Air.

But with rematches against Eastlake and Bel Air still on the schedule, the Conquistadores don’t have a clear path to a district championship. But they’re confident a district title is in the cards.

“I know it’s gonna be tough, but I have confidence in my team we’re gonna be successful,” said goalkeeper Jonathan Mendoza. “I know our team has a lot of talent, and we’re gonna be more than champions.” So what drives this team? “Play, not the perfect game, but give the perfect effort like coach tells us,” said defender Abraham Moreno. “And give it our all, 100-percent. There’s no stopping, no time for rest, no time for mistakes. Just keep going.” And if things keep going as well as they have in the first portion of the season, you can expect this Del Valle squad to make some noise come the postseason.