The past two seasons have been polar opposites for the Hazen boys soccer team.

Two years ago, the Highlanders brought home the second state title in Hazen’s history.

Last year, the Highlanders looked to be on their way toward defending the title until a clerical error cost them that chance.

Hazen had to forfeit seven games because a player who was cleared for the spring season was actually too old.

The forfeits knocked the Highlanders out of the playoff hunt.

In 2009, Hazen coach Ritch Gouk is clear about his goal for this season:

“To make it to state,” he said. “To make it back in there and show where we should have been last year.”

Hazen’s weakness on the way to fulfilling that goal may be youth. The Highlanders lost two all-league first-team seniors from last season, midfielder Raymundo Pelayo and goalkeeper Drey Hicks.

Hazen has 10 new players on the varsity roster, to just eight returning players.

The youth is concentrated on defense, where all five defenders are new. Gouk said communication will determine how the year goes.

“There’s a lot of talent within the group and trying to get them to all play together is something else,” he said. “If they can’t talk to each other, it’s not going to work.”

Key players will be midfielder (and team captain) Grady Guay. Forward Antonio Miller, goalkeeper Daniel Lucier and defender Connorl Hall.

Hazen plays next against Lindbergh, Monday at 6 p.m.