The men's soccer program has truly flourished over the past couple of years. Over
the past two seasons this team has accumulated an impressive overall record
of 35 wins, 9 losses, and 5 ties producing three All-American nominees and
one All-American; five conference MVP`s; and, over 10 athletes on the first
and second conference teams. In 2006, our men's soccer team was ranked #1 in
the northern region, #2 in the state and #4 in the nation. In 2007 Taft
College Men's Soccer won the State Championship.
With a remarkable returning class, Taft College Men`s Soccer program is
looking to carry on in the same fashion. With experience under the belt, the
coaches are looking to bring in freshmen from Kern County to compliment their
talents.
Several soccer players have continued on to universities such as UNLV, UCI,
CSULA, and CSUB. The coaching staffs` efforts are aimed toward those athletes
who wish to continue both their athletic and academic careers at the
university level. The men's soccer program is designed for those student
athletes who believe that hard work and dedication is a means to success.
~ Taft College Men's Soccer Team State Finalists Again ~
Link to KERO 23 News coverage of 11/03/09 San Joaquin Delta College game
Former Taft College Soccer Star Aguilar is Turning Pro
by Dennis McCall
Taft Midway Driller
March 4, 2009
The ex-Cougar midfielder, who scored the winning goal in the 2007 state championship match, has signed a contract with the Rochester (N.Y.) Rhinos of the U.S. Soccer Federation Division 2 Pro League. He leaves for New York Saturday and will start pre-season drills with the team on Monday in preparation for an April 10 league opener in Miami. The Rhinos will play 30 matches against teams like the Portland Timbers, Carolina Railhawks, Montreal Impact and Puerto Rico Islanders. Other opponents include teams from Austin, Tex., St. Louis, Baltimore, Vancouver and Tampa.“It’s exciting,” he said. “This has been a childhood dream to play at the pro level.”
He’s already developed a fan base. “I’ve gotten some emails from fans who are pretty excited to have me play there,” he said. “Soccer is really big there.” Aguilar is the first former Cougar to turn professional. “It’s exciting for us too,” said eight-year head coach Angelo Cutrona, whose teams have been ranked among the best in the state for the past five years. “I’m really glad it’s Carlos.” Aguilar doesn’t know much about Rochester, N.Y., but he’s just excited to be going. After two outstanding seasons at TC where he was twice selected first team all-Central Valley Conference, scored 22 goals and had 15 assists, Aguilar went to UC Irvine on a full scholarship. At Irvine, he was voted first team All-Big West Conference. The Anteaters won their first two conference titles with Aguilar. He was the MVP of the conference tournament, was named College Soccer News player of the week twice and Top Drawer player of the week once.
He’s still completing his studies there, but will have to interrupt his quest for a degree in criminology for a pro soccer season. “I’ll have to take incompletes in my classes, but I can come back and take my exams,” he said. Earning a college degree is important to him. “I want to be the first one in my family to graduate from college,” he said.
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