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Soccer—Boys’ Varsity
2018 - 2019When soccer came to Thacher in 1922, the boys used to ride their horses out to the dusty gymkhana field, tie their horses up, play a match, and return to the stables; on a good day, they might bag a quail along the way. These days, boys head for practices and games on foot and compete on grassy fields overlooking the Ojai Valley, and the only shooting is at the goals. Soccer is still a favorite sport for students, from those looking to take on a completely new challenge to those who are ready to be key players on the varsity team, the program has something for everyone.
When soccer became a winter sport in 2002, the varsity team embraced the opportunity to compete in the CIF playoffs, going all the way to the finals. In most seasons since then, the Toads have qualified for the post-season, often ranked among the top-ten teams in the Southern Section. Recent grads have gone on to play at schools like Amherst, Claremont-McKenna, Stanford, and Williams, while others have played on excellent club teams like USC and Pepperdine. While winning records and impressive playoff runs are exciting, the focus of the program is the same as it was when it began more than eight decades ago—creating tight knit teams of students who support each other and have the tenacity and mental toughness to overcome any challenge.
About Coach Sánchez:
Coach Sánchez’s passion for soccer began in the streets of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, where he developed a deep love for the game. His playing journey started as a goalkeeper during his early high school years before transitioning to the striker position, a role he continues to embrace. In 2021, he earned a postgraduate degree in Systems Thinking from Cornell University, which has influenced his coaching philosophy by emphasizing interconnectedness, adaptability, and strategic problem-solving. Coach Sánchez has gained international coaching experience through a soccer clinic alongside FC Barcelona’s youth academy coaches and a two-week professional development and sports management internship with Vissel Kobe in Japan. Most recently, he completed the TFV Coaching License, awarded by the Thuringia Football Association in Germany, further expanding his knowledge of European coaching methodologies. Beyond tactics and technique, Coach Sánchez firmly believes that soccer is a unifying force for good. His coaching philosophy is centered on ensuring that all players, regardless of skill level, have the opportunity to enjoy and grow within the beautiful game.
Soccer—Boys’ Varsity
Home
vs.
Foothill Tech
Win
5-1
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Away
Cancelled
League
vs.
Malibu
at
Malibu
Home
League
vs.
Villanova
Win
4-1
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Away
vs.
Laguna Blanca
Loss
1-4
at
Laguna Blanca
Away
League
vs.
St. Bonaventure
Win
2-1
at
St. Bonaventure
Away
vs.
Nordhoff
Tie
2-2
at
Nordhoff High School
Home
vs.
Cate
Loss
2-6
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Home
League
vs.
Bishop Diego
Loss
0-5
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Home
League
vs.
St. Bonaventure
Tie
2-2
at
Playing Fields - Lower Field - 2
Home
vs.
Alumni
Loss
3-4
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Away
Rescheduled
League
vs.
Villanova
Win
7-0
at
Villanova
Home
Rescheduled
League
vs.
Bishop Diego
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Away
League
vs.
Villanova
Win
7-0
at
Villanova
Home
League
vs.
St. Bonaventure
Win
2-1
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Home
League
vs.
Villanova
Win
2-0
at
Playing Fields - Lower Field - 2
Away
League
vs.
Bishop Diego
Loss
1-5
at
Bishop Diego
Home
Cancelled
League
vs.
Bishop Diego
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Home
Playoff
vs.
Oakwood
Win
3-2
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Home
Playoff
vs.
Palmdale Aerospace Academy
Win
4-2
at
Playing Fields - Upper Field - 3
Away
Playoff
vs.
Woodcrest Christian
Win
2-1
at
Woodcrest Christian
Away
Playoff
vs.
Linfield Christian
Win
1-0
Away
Playoff
vs.
San Dimas
at
San Dimas High School
Coaches
Statistics
Overall Statistics
| W | L | T | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 2 | 64.7 |
League Statistics
| W | L | T | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 68.8 |
Non-League Statistics
| W | L | T | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 61.1 |
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2018-19 Soccer B V
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A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.