SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: Roller Hockey

2002-03 Rancho Bernardo Broncos high school roller hockey team

Broncos are back, seek 2nd title

By Phillip Brents

Posted Feb. 23, 2003

The Rancho Bernardo Broncos lost just one player off last year’s championship team and perhaps it is not surprising the team finished undefeated in regular season play this season. Rancho Bernardo and Vista entered their regular season finale as the only two squads in the 18-team conference with undefeated records. The Broncos finished 9-0-2 to earn the #1 seed in the playoffs; Vista is seeded second with an 8-1-2 record.

Jared Goodrich and Matt Wick (since graduated) had three goals apiece in last year’s championship victory in overtime against Granite Hills (not playing in the conference this season). David Drasin had the game-winning goal, assisted by Kevin Meisner.

While last year’s team featured strong defense, excellent goaltending and a pair of outstanding offensive players, this year’s Broncos squad is built more around defense. Rancho Bernardo allowed 24 goals in 11 games -- the second-lowest number of goals in the conference after Monte Vista (20).

Jared Goodrich has been dropped to defense and still has produced. The move, in fact, may have benefited his offensive game. "He understands the game and can see the whole rink. He’s the quickest back," said head coach Ray Goodrich.

Top players are Jared Goodrich, Drasin and Meisner (all seniors) on defense and senior Jordan Goodrich and junior Dane Ludolph on offense, along with strong play from senior goaltender Ryan Bracamonte.

"Those are the things that’s taken us to the top – changing our defense up a little bit," the Rancho Bernardo coach said. "We had to go with a different make-up after Matt left."

The Broncos opened the season with a 3-3 tie against St. Augustine, which went on to finish 5-4-2 as the runner-up team in the Southeastern League. Inland League champion Rancho Bernardo has also received tests this season from Poway and San Pasqual. The Golden Eagles finished as runners-up to the Broncos in league play with an overall record of 8-2-1 to earn the #4 seed.

Poway, which lost to 11th-seeded Carlsbad in the opening round of the playoffs in an upset, finished third in Inland League play behind both Rancho Bernardo and San Pasqual.

"Our goals this season have been to keep the team strong and play each game like it is a championship game -- that’s how everybody is treating us – and to keep our focus," Ray Goodrich said. "We’ve pretty much stayed on track."

Rancho Bernardo has had a target painted on it all season. The Broncos were held to a 1-1 tie through two periods in a Jan. 27 game against West Hills before finishing with a pair of goals in the second half of the final period to skate off with a hard-earned 3-1 win. Jordan Goodrich had the game-winner for RB.

Rancho Bernardo Broncos

Record: 9-0-2

Seed: 1st

Offense rank: 5th conference (58 goals in 11 games)

Defense rank: 2nd conference (24 goals in 11 games)

Players to watch

Jared Goodrich 12 Defenseman

Jordan Goodrich 12 Forward

David Drasin 12 Defenseman

Wes Jones 12 Defenseman

Kevin Meisner 12 Defenseman

Mike Majam 11 Forward

Eric Rowe 12 Defenseman

Dane Ludolph 11 Forward

Ryan Deitrick 12 Forward

Ryan Bracamonte 12 Goaltender

Andy Meisner 9 Forward

Head coach: Ray Goodrich

Assistant coach: Dennis Wick