Siuslaw soccer coach Londi Tomaro is consistently positive, and she loves to see that reflected in her Vikings players.

Siuslaw opens its second season at the varsity level Thursday at Newport, and she is positively bubbling with optimism.

"We have a great deal of talent and skill, and we also have players who recognize the strength in relying on teammates and working together," Tomaro said.

"We as coaches are really excited to see this group of players come together and become a really strong and confident team."

The Vikings have a total of 26 players on the varsity and junior varsity levels, up two from the truncated spring season.

"The number is even more impressive when you realize eight of last year's players did not return this season," Tomaro said.

"We have a lot of new faces mixed in with our returning players, and we are really excited for this year's teams."

Midfielders Jason Garcia, a senior, and Noel Hernandez, a junior, will serve co-captains.

The 15-player roster also includes seniors Jerrel Brumley, Kayden Lane, Kassandra Dietrich, Imanol Pelayo and Dante Galli and juniors Lucian Murphy and Alex Goss.

Rounding out the roster are sophomores Derrick Vanduch, Dylan Jensen, Brayden Linton, Eli Tattershall and Braxton Hulet and freshman Ray Brito Xilot.

"We just finalized our lineups over the weekend, and communicated them to our players (Monday) at practice," Tomaro said.

"We spoke to each player about the position they are going to play, the role we expect them to have on the team, and how excited we are to see them develop as players and teammates."

Assisting Tomaro are veteran contributor Nyra Campbell and newcomer Amy Tregoning.

"Amy is a goalkeeper and is running the goalkeeper training," Tomaro said.

The Vikings appears to be solid in net.

"The varsity has three goalkeepers — Kayden Lane, Derick Vanduch and Dante Galli," Tomaro said. "At this point in time we anticipate Kayden and Derrick to play the most minutes in net. They're both quick, steady and willing to dive into the play for the ball.

"Dante is a solid backup option in net, where he loves to play."

Tomaro says she is counting on strong seasons from all her players.

"Soccer is a sport that cannot be won by one or two players," she said. "It takes a whole team working well together to perform well. Our team this year can be this type of team."

In just a few days of fall practice, Tomaro has seen positive signs.

"Already in the second week of practice we are seeing players click with teammates that they haven't played with much before," she said. "It is that kind of chemistry on the field that is crucial to making plays, containing opponents, and scoring goals. 

"During our individual player conferences I think we told every player that we appreciate their positivity and uplifting demeanor on the field."

VARSITY SCHEDULE
Thursday, Aug. 26 — at Newport/Eddyville Charter, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 1 — Creswell, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 6 — at North Bend, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 16 — Pleasant Hill, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 20 — at Marist, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 22 — Marshfield, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 27 — at Junction City, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 29 — at Elmira, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 4 — Cottage Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 6 — Marist, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 11 — at Marshfield, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 13 — Junction City, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 18 — Elmira, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 20 — at Cottage Grove, 6:30 p.m.

VARSITY ROSTER
Seniors
Jerrel Brumley, defender
Kayden Lane, goalkeeper/midfielder
Kassandra Dietrich, defender
Imanol Pelayo, midfielder/forward
Dante Galli, forward/goalkeeper
Jason Garcia, midfielder
Juniors
Noel Hernandez, midfielder
Lucian Murphy, defender
Alex Goss, defender
Sophomores
Derrick Vanduch, forward/goalkeeper
Dylan Jensen, forward
Brayden Linton, midfielder/defender
Eli Tattershall, midfielder
Braxton Hule, forward
Freshmen
Ray Brito Xilot, midfielder

JV ROSTER
Sophomores
Nick W-Terrebrood, defender
Ethan Jagoe, midfielder/forward
Taylor Spencer forward
Freshmen
Landon Curley, forward
Chuck Nelson, forward
Sawyer Larson
Nicholas May, forward
Sylas Gorder goalkeeper/defender
Brandon Jagoe, goalkeeper/forward
Berkley Tregoning, defender
Aidan Murphy, defender/midfielder