Girls Soccer Kicks Off Preseason

Girls’ soccer preseason kicked off with a big win over Coastal Christian on Nov. 20. The team collectively came together in unison to dominate the Coastal Christian Conquerors, putting up seven goals in each half to win the game 14-1. Freshman centre forward Chava Brody put up six goals herself in the win with help from other teammates, with six different people scoring one or more goals to boost the Pirates’ score. On Nov. 26, they played Reedley and lost in a tough match of 2-1, with Brody scoring their only goal. On Dec. 5, they lost yet again in a low-scoring game of 3-1 against the Palma Cheiftains, with Brody yet again scoring their only goal.

Brody joined the Varsity program this year as a standout player despite her young age. “Chava is a big key in our team’s success so far. She’s got good field IQ,” said Junior right winger, Coco Fortini, who contributed a goal in the win against the Conquerors. “The team this year is really working on passing with intention and being intentional with what we’re doing,” said Brody. Though she is one of the youngest players on the Varsity team for the Pirates, she has a voice that everyone contributes to and listens to. She’s not the only voice the team hears, though, with Captains being Senior Daisy Pimienta, Juliana Kong, and McKenzie Stilts. “Our captains are extremely helpful. They’re not afraid to tell you what to do; they’re great at communicating with the team on what needs to be done,” Brody said. “Daisy keeps everything organised, she showed up to every preseason practice and workout, and she is overall very dedicated and supportive,” said Fortini. 

Fellow player Fortini is returning to soccer for her third season with the Pirates. “This year we’re really working on working together on the field and being in unison, being able to play together,” said Fortini. Fortini has been playing soccer for ten years and cherishes the team this year. “I love our pasta feeds before home games, we get to connect and bond while playing games,” Fortini said. “Yeah, the team bonding dinners seem really fun. I’m excited to get to experience that, and I just have a fun time overall on the van rides to the stadium for games,” said Brody. 

With Morro Bay’s field under construction after the end of the football season, both the girls’ and boys’ soccer teams are left to play elsewhere for their home field. Local college, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, was nice enough to lend its field to our soccer teams in need. “I love playing in the stadium, it’s a bigger field, and it’s definitely a nicer field than ours, I just love turf,” said Brody. “It’s cool to experience and play in a stadium, the field is a lot wider though, so we’re doing a lot of conditioning,” said Fortini. 

The Pirates have faced a lot of change this season. Like most teams, they’ve lost previous seniors, but they also have to play at the Mustang Memorial Field Stadium and have received a new coaching staff. “I love our head coach; he’s dedicated. And our assistant coach is very goofy, we make fun of him sometimes, but overall we have a good time, everyone is very supportive,” said Brody. “Head coach Ceaser really takes his time to work with us; he goes out of his way to put time and effort into the team, and it just goes to show he really cares for us and wants us to have a winning season,” Fortini said.