Playoffs or bust for the dogs heading into the new season 

The Burbank Bulldogs are looking to take a big leap in the second year of the Johnny Rotuno era after finishing in 5th place in the Pacific League a season ago. Last season the Bulldogs finished a game above 500 with an 8-7-5 overall record and a league record of 4-6-4 which was two games under 500. 

Under Johnny Rotunno, his coaching staff will feature Erik Gharbian (Head Junior Varsity Head Coach), Davit Stepanyan (Frosh Head Coach), Andrei Rodriguez (Assistant Coach), Alex Renderos (Goalie Coach), and Henrick Torossian (Athletic Trainer). “All of us have been putting in work over the summer and fall. The season is now two weeks away and we are excited to get started,” said Rotunno. He also expressed his confidence in the team’s record improving from last season, but stated that the team will be tested early in the season with a hard non-league schedule. The expectation is that they will learn to overcome adversity early on and it will prepare them for Pacific League play and the playoffs. 

The players to watch this season are seniors Erik Antanesyan (goalkeeper/striker, & forward), Andrew Zargaryan (defender, fullback, and midfielder), juniors Raymond Soukiazian, and Aram Hovanessian (striker). Sophomores Ashot Grigoryan (midfielder/fullback and forward) and Harout Akopyan (midfielder, defender & forward) along with freshmen Davit Tadevosyan (midfielder, forward & striker) should be key underclassmen in a group that has a ton of depth in the sophomore and freshmen group. Soukiazian and Atanesyan both were second and third respectively on the team in goals last season and are expected to be the team’s top goal scorers for the program this season. 

The important dates to look out for on the calendar will be the Bulldogs beginning the season on the road on Tuesday, November 19th against Alhambra at 5:30 p.m. which will be the first game of a five-game road trip. To start December they will participate in two tournaments including the Notre Dame Showcase on Friday, December 6th, and then the Royal Tournament on Thursday, December 12th. The Bulldogs will play their season home opener on Friday, December 13th against Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m. After the Holidays, Burbank will kick off Pacific League play on Tuesday, January 7th, against Pasadena in the battle of the Bulldogs at 3:45 p.m. The crosstown rivalry kick-off between the Burbank Bulldogs and the Burroughs Bears will take place on Wednesday, January 29th at Memorial Field at 3:45 p.m.

Stay tuned for coverage for Burbank Bulldogs boys soccer all season long.