Senior sweeper gains honor as player of the year

Zack Potocki was known as the enforcer in the middle of Ashland's defense.

That defense carried the Grizzlies to a perfect 7-0 record and the Southern Oregon Conference boys soccer title this fall.

Potocki, a fiery senior sweeper, was named SOC player of the year in a vote of head coaches.

Ashland second-year coach Eisa Tiaa Tou Tou was named co-coach of the year along with Klamath Union's Gerritt deGroot. Tiaa Tou Tou guided the Grizzlies to their second straight SOC title with an undefeated record.

Ashland tied South Medford, Grants Pass and North Medford for the conference championship in 1998.

The 6-foot, 165-pound Potocki combined with Will Dolan, Jon Armstrong and Dustin Wasserman in Ashland's defense to torment and deny offenses, as the Grizzlies rolled to a 10-0-4 regular-season record and a 13-1-4 final mark.

Ashland lost its only match of the season last Tuesday, falling 2-0 to Jesuit in the Class 4A state playoff semifinals.

Potocki wasn't popular among his opponents, primarily because of his fiery competitive spirit. But when it came time for him to be respected by league coaches for his contributions to his team, he was duly rewarded.

"I'm really excited about it," says Potocki. "It makes all the hard work worthwhile. It really paid off and the other coaches obviously noticed."

Asked about his competitive spirit on the field, Potocki admitted he isn't afraid about challenging anybody.

"Yes, I like to do some talking and try to get guys out of their game," says Potocki. "If you can get them out of their game, it helps you and your team.

"I play hard on defense, and I talk some trash," says Potocki. "I try to back it up by playing hard and tough.

"I'm not afraid to let people know how I feel about what's happening on the field."

Potocki says his fiery, competitive spirit comes from Tiaa Tou Tou.

"Eisa definitely motivated us to do what we did this year," says Potocki. "When he explains things to us, he does it quietly. He doesn't say much during the game he lets us play -- unless he's angry about something, like a call.

"We know since he played in the Olympics (for Sudan in 1980), he knows what he's talking about when he teaches us," says Potocki. "And we listen."

Also named first-team SOC all-stars from Ashland were Dolan (defender) and midfielder Eric Sharp.