Tigard sets its sights on the playoffs
Tigard Times
The Tigard High School boys soccer team, and new coach Kibwe Cuffie, have their goals set for the 2008 season.
And the Tigers know what it will likely take to reach those goals.
“We should get to the state playoffs — at the very minimum. That’s our goal,” Cuffie said. “The key for us will be team play. That’s what we’re going to have to do. We’re not going to depend on just one or two players.”
Cuffie is also a coach with the Southside Soccer Club and a former college player at Concordia University and Cascade College. He was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago national ages U-17 team and also played for Joe Public FC, the top Caribbean professional team in Trinidad.
Cuffie is taking over a Tigard team that went 4-9-2 on the season (4-5-1 in Pacific Conference play) last year.
“So far, so good,” Cuffie said of his start with the Tigers. “I think we’re going to have a strong team. We’re going to have a solid base from our freshmen through our seniors.”
Cuffie said a few of the players of note so far for the Tigers include junior Bernabe Bautista, who will play in the midfield.
“He’s very creative,” Cuffie said.
Senior Travis Spanu should thrive in a utility role.
“He brings us all around effort and determination,” Cuffie said of Spanu, who also is a 4.0 student.
Junior Brandon Trank should be a key player on defense for the Tigers.
“He gives us a physical nature back there,” Cuffie said.
Sophomore Graydon Samuelson, who was a second-team All-Pacific Conference selection last year, should be a key player in the midfield.
“He has a powerful shot,” Cuffie said.
While the Tigard team may be deep, the team will have to stay healthy in 2008 if it’s going to reach its playoff goal.
“We have to stay away from injuries,” Cuffie said. “We need to stay fit.”
As for the Pacific Conference this season, Cuffie, new to the league, isn’t sure what to expect.
“Tualatin, our big rival, will be strong,” he said.
Tigard opens its season Tuesday when it hosts McNary in a non-league game starting at 7:30 p.m.
