Mesa Legend - SPORTS - Men’s soccer team faces 3rd coach in three years

March 7, 2006
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Men’s soccer team faces 3rd coach in three years

Chris Ramiez
Mesa Legend

When the MCC men’s soccer team returns to action in the fall of 2006, it will have a new coach for the third consecutive season.
Bowing out after one season at MCC is Jeff Perry, who was brought on before the 2005 season to coach the men’s side after Tim Barmettler moved to coaching only the women’s team, having previously overseen both.
In fact, it was Barmettler who led Perry to the position at MCC, as they know one another from coaching soccer against each other on the high school level.
Perry expressed that he enjoyed his experience at MCC, despite it being brief, but contributes his resignation to having other commitments to tend to.
A full-time job at Gilbert High School where he is the boy’s soccer coach, in addition to a club soccer team and young family were a few Perry mentioned.
He leaves the men’s soccer team after reviving the program with a winning record of 10-6-3 and a playoff appearance for the 2005 season.
Perry, who came to this decision shortly after the end of the season according to athletic director Dan Dunn, said he contacted each of his players and explained the situation. He believes that many still plan on returning despite his departure, stating, “Most of those guys were going to school not only to play soccer, a lot of them are going to school to try to get their degrees as well.”
That will be good news for Sal Galvano, who has been appointed to succeed Perry.
Galvano, also lured to MCC by Barmettler, is a native of New York, but most recently lived in Texas where he coached women’s soccer at Cedar Valley College.
Located in the Dallas area, Galvano guided CVC to regional and district championships, and most recently to the 2005 NJCAA Division III Championship Game. However, CVC finished in second place after losing in the final game on penalty kicks.
Having been on the job at MCC for just a few weeks, Galvano has contacted only a handful of the current players, but plans to talk to all of them soon. He has also spoken to Perry about the team, who informed Galvano of possible recruits.
Galvano said he will bring them in to talk about joining and will hold practice sessions throughout the spring to determine the makeup of the team for the 2006 season.
Galvano believes the major difference in men’s and women’s soccer is speed.
He also added both require athleticism and skill, but the men need to be quick in order to be successful.