MARIPOSA GOALKEEPER MAX ARCHER DEFLECTS A SHOT IN TUESDAY AFTERNOON’S NON-LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST BRET HARTE. THE GRIZZLIES FELL, 8-5, AFTER JUMPING TO AN EARLY 2-0 ADVANTAGE. GAZETTE PHOTO BY DAN TUCKER Although Mariposa’s varsity boys’ soccer squad has opened the season with backto back defeats, head coach Adam Finney remains optimistic. “We’ve got some pretty good talent, but we’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m pretty optimistic about the upcoming league season,” Finney said Tuesday afternoon after his charges fell to visiting Bret Harte, 8-5.

The non-league contest was Mariposa’s home opener in the new Pioneer Market Grizzly Stadium. “The field seems a lot bigger with the new sod because we aren’t playing on dirt in the corners. It really made a difference,” Finney said.

Against the Bullfrogs early first half goals by senior Colby Southwood and junior Ryland Radanovich bolted the Grizzlies to a 2-0 lead, but Bret Harte came charging back and tagged the net for four scores to take a 4-2 advantage at the intermission.

Southwood recorded a hat trick with two more goals in the second half, and Radanovich added another score but the Grizzlies’ defense struggled against the aggressive Bullfrogs and gave up four more scores.

“We’re still working out some kinks on defense,” Finney said. “The bright spot is that we got solid play from our freshman fullback, Guy Yeager. He had a good game.”

Last Saturday Mariposa opened its season at Livingston and took it on the chin, 3-1.

The Grizzlies’ lone goal came in the second half on a shot by senior sweeper Dillon Helms. “It was a pretty good game, and we started working together better. We had some good opportunities, but just didn’t make the shot,” Finney said.

The Grizzlies will travel to Jackson this weekend to compete in the Amador Tournament against Golden Sierra, Placer, and Amador. The following weekend Mariposa goes to Sacramento for the Del Campo Tournament. Southern Athletic League play begins on Thursday, Sept. 16 against Denair at home in Grizzly Stadium.

Finney has selected some of his starters for the season, but said that many positions are yet to be established.

Freshman Max Archer will start in the net at goalkeeper. Helms, along with senior Justing Long are the center fullbacks. The wing fullbacks will be platooned with Yeager, senior Jon King, and senior Chris Sherrill sharing duties.

Junior Josh Collins, who suffered a concussion against Livingston and didn’t play Tuesday, is a solid starter at midfield. He’ll be flanked by senior Justin LeMessuier, along with offensive midfielder junior Jared Law.

Southwood is starting at the left wing with Radanovich in the center and senior Hugo Garcia on the right.

In Tuesday’s junior varsity contest, Mariposa romped to a 4-0 shutout on a hat trick by freshman David Medema. Medema notched a pair of goals in the first half and added one in the second. Will Auble recorded a goal in the second half also to complete the scoring.