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SOCCER
UPDATE
Women’s
team has a learning year ahead of it
| Players
gear up for season at recent practice |
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Coach
Carlos Olivares isn't sure if his women’s soccer team
is more, or less, experienced than last year’s
squad.
On the surface, it certainly is less experienced. The team
is made up mostly of first year players, with only a couple
of returning players from last year, said Olivares. But, he
adds, among the first-year recruits are several players who
had full careers on the high school soccer field.
"All of our players have had at least three years of
varsity experience in high school," he said. "Last
year, many of our players, even some returning from the previous
year, did not have more than one or two years’ playing
experience."
Although the high school and college competitive levels are
significantly different, Olivares believes the discipline
developed by his young players from years of regular training
will result in a better conditioned, more athletic team.
Olivares is pleased with the hard-working group of players
who will form the heart of this year’s team. He expects
leadership from several young recruits, including forward
Monica Contreras (St. Genevieve’s H.S.), Arlene Marino
(club soccer), Vanessa Herrera and Ruby Torres (Birmingham
H.S.), and Cindy Martinez (Kennedy H.S.).
Looking
at the tough Western State Conference, Olivares predicts stiff
competition from Ventura, Santa Barbara, Cuesta and Moorpark
colleges. He predicts a learning year ahead for the Eagles
and sees his job as helping them to learn to bond and develop
a team attitude.
"If we work this year to develop a good, strong core
group that stays together, I think we’ll see some success
next year," he said.
The Eagles begin pre-conference play on August 31 against
Pasadena City College. Conference play begins on September
14 with a road game against Santa Monica College. The first
conference home game, against Bakersfield College, is on September
21. Home games will be played at Birmingham High School, 17000
Haynes St., Lake Balboa.
See
the Women’s Soccer Schedule
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