The sixth-ranked Tremper boys soccer team begins its quest for a WIAA Division-1 State Championship today when it hosts Janesville Parker in a regional semifinal at Ameche Field.

If the Trojans (18-1-3) are to complete the journey, they will do so without one of their top performers.

Tremper coach Chris Tindall confirmed on Monday that David Caban will be ineligible for the postseason. The junior is one of 36 players in the country competing for the U-18 Men’s National Team at the squad’s domestic training camp in Carson, Calif.

“We’ve tried not to make it a focal point,” Tindall said. “You can’t diminish his absence as being insignificant.

“Clearly, he’s one of the best players our country has to offer, so he’s going to make any team drastically better just by being there.”

The training camp, which began on Oct. 6, wraps up with an intrasquad scrimmage this morning. Per WIAA rules a player missing school for a non-medical reason on the first day of the postseason tournament is ineligible for the remainder of the playoffs.

“It’s an opportunity he’s worked hard for,” Tindal said. “We’re all happy for him and proud of him.”

Tindall said the WIAA, in conversations that began a month ago, was willing to grant Caban an “exceptional athlete” waiver, but only if Caban could get to class this morning.

“I have no problem with the national team,” Tindall said. “It’s such an honor for him. If you’re Landon Donovan and you’re called to national team duty from the L.A. Galaxy, you’re the property of the national team until they’re done with you. You’re professional club doesn’t get its hands on you until your federation says so.

“To think they’re going to let David Caban from Kenosha go early was sort of a pipe dream, but we explored it and had to ask.”

The Trojans were without Caban for last Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over Racine Park. Despite being without Caban and his 17 goals, the Trojans are loaded for a postseason run.

Jesus Oseguera led Tremper with 19 goals and handed out 11 assists. Henrik Egly had a team-high 19 assists to go along with 14 goals. Matt Vecchitto (13) and Nathan Oster (11) also netted double-digit goals.

“We’re not going to play a man down by any means,” Tindall said. “We’re going to roll 11 quality players out there, many of whom are very dangerous at the high school level.

“We have high expectations of them as they have of themselves.”