If Anzar High’s Jose Ornelas could start the soccer season over,
he might change one thing.
If Anzar High’s Jose Ornelas could start the soccer season over, he might change one thing. He might make sure his girlfriend, Maggie Valtierra, attends every game, home and away.
“She’s been to two of my games and I had a hat trick each time,” said the Hawks senior striker. “She’s good luck.”
Hopefully, Ornelas has Valtierra nearby today when the Hawks (3-13-1, 3-11-1) wrap up the Mission Trail Athletic League season at Pacific Grove. Another hat trick today would give Ornelas – the Hawks’ leading scorer and one of the top goal scorers in the MTAL – 14 goals on the year.
He’s had three hat tricks – vs. Pacific Grove, Soledad and York. Against the Aztecs, Ornelas nailed the winning goal on a penalty kick to give the Hawks a 4-3 triumph.
And it’s OK to talk about Ornelas’ finishing ability now, according to Hawks head coach Mick Brown.
“We wanted to keep Jose a secret to the rest of the league,” said Brown. “He may be the best kept secret in the league. When other coaches see his stats in the newspapers, they prepare for you differently. The papers do the scouting for the coach. There’s been some games where Jose has been double-teamed. That’s just good strategy. I wouldn’t expect anything less from the opposing coach.”
And, in testament to more of Ornelas’ skills, Brown has a soccer ball juggling contest once a week. The winner wins a free hamburger. It’s really no contest.
“You can use any part of your body to juggle,” said Brown. “Jose usually gets tired at about 160. The closest guy is at about 110.”
Hope Ornelas likes hamburgers.
Aromas Recreation
Brown spotted Ornelas way back in the Aromas Recreation League when Brown was a coach there. Ornelas began playing recreational soccer back in the fourth grade, some nine years ago.
“He’s very fast,” said Brown of Ornelas. “Fast with the ball and fast to the ball. He’s good in a crowd. The ball is like glue to his feet. He’s one of our most valuable players, along with defender Victor Ramirez and goalie Remigio Mireles.”
“Scoring goals is what I do best,” stated Ornelas, a First Team all-MTAL selection as a junior. “I like playing soccer. I can forget about my problems.”
Brown feels Ornelas could play junior college for a couple of years. Ornelas. who has a 3.5 GPA, is shooting for walking on at San Jose State next year. Both Brown and Ornelas agree that Jose has more work to do to compete at a higher level, whereever he may end up.
“Jose needs to get in better shape, get more physical,” said Brown. “He has to work on shielding the ball and turning. He has to get a shot off quicker. He likes to shoot at close range.”
“I need to improve my breakaways when I’m one-on-one with the goalie,” said Ornelas. “I get nervous and I shoot the ball too quickly.”
Paired with Perez
Brown said his offense has taken off since he moved sophomore Richie Perez from midfield to the front. Ornelas and Perez, whom Brown calls his best playmaker, have really clicked. Perez has enjoyed playing with the senior Ornelas.
“We’ll miss him next year,” said Perez of Ornelas. “He can really finish. Most days he’s on and some days he’s off, but he’s a good finisher.”
“Jose’s a fast forward,” said Jose’s good friend, Ramirez, who is a towering presence in the backline. “Jose’s a threat in every game. We have nobody to replace him.”
Ornelas has had more fun this year, than last, when his modest three goals led the team in scoring.
“This is basically the same team, but we have a lot better attitude than last year,” said Ornelas. “Last year we were always fighting. We weren’t committed. And we had good soccer players who chose to play other sports. This year, we’re together. A lot has to do with Coach Brown. He’s the best coach I’ve ever had. I hope he stays. Everyone respects him. I hope the A.D. realizes were not just out here to get stomped.”
Big speech
And everyone respects Ornelas.
“Jose has great leadership,” said Mireles, who plans to play soccer and run cross-country at Hartnell College next year. “He volunteers on and off campus. He’s always helping other people.”
And then there’s Ornelas’ inspirational speech before a match against first place King City, head and shoulders the best team in the MTAL. The Hawks traveled the long distance there for a match last Thursday and lost 3-0. It was 6-1 Mustangs at a match at Anzar on Jan. 27. Brown acknowledged that the Mustangs coach was “holding out some of his premier players”.
Still, Ornelas had the following to say to the team:
“We play as a team. No matter if King City scores, we’re still a team. No matter what the score is, play like it’s 0-0.”
One of Ornelas’ hobbies is playing the electric guitar. He especially likes playing rock and roll. Maybe he can write a song entitled, “Play like it’s 0-0!”.
One can bet it would have a great finish with an Ornelas signature on the pitch.
