2018 Tech Boys Soccer Capsule

League: Class 4A Desert

Head coach: Josh Jones, 20th season

2017 record: 14-7-4 (10-0-2 3A Sunrise/first)

Returning lettermen (starters): Eleven (eight)

Top athletes: MF Asish Pandey (Sr.), MF/F Eduardo Gomez (Sr.), MF Alex Mejia (Jr.), MF Gabriel Aguilar (Jr.), MF/F Cruz Velazquez (Jr.), GK Yobani Garcia-Benitez (Jr.), F Alan Lopez (So.)

Outlook: The Roadrunners bring back eight starters from a squad that won the Class 3A Sunrise League title and was the Southern Region runner-up.

Lopez (13 goals, 5 assists), Velazquez (7 goals, 12 assists), Mejia (9 goals, 3 assists), Aguilar (6 goals, 7 assists), Gomez (1 goal, 11 assists) and Pandey (1 goal, 2 assists) all return on offense. Garcia-Benitez (8 shutouts) anchors the defense.

“Tech returns a solid nucleus of players that are starting to play well together and gained experience making it to state at the 3A level last season,” Jones said. “The team is looking forward to playing in a much more competitive 4A conference this year.

“Tech hopes that the youth on the team from last year has matured to make another strong playoff run.”