Girls Soccer Starts League

Girls’ soccer here at MBHS has officially started league right before school went on break. Returners and seniors Daisy Pimienta and Reese Kelly can see the difference in the league this year compared to last year. “This year is more competitive because our team has stepped up and grown. We’re able to match league play better, and it creates closer games,” said Kelly. “This year we played a stronger preseason, so coming into the league we’re stronger, and it’s definitely a step up from what it was in the past,” Pimienta said.

The girls are currently 2-1-1 in the league, with their most recent win against Nipomo at home. The score was 7-0, with junior Olivia Moreno scoring five of the seven goals. Julie Gonzalez and Chava Brody each had one goal to contribute to the score. The team has grown a lot from just the start of the preseason; they get different contributors every night, and everyone is involved. In their loss to Cabrillo, Kelly scored a goal as a center back, leaving many in disbelief and joy despite the close 3-2 defeat. “We’ve grown so much. Our new coaches have been awesome and are always supporting and helping us,” said Pimienta, a captain for the Pirates. “We’ve progressed a lot with our chemistry. This year, we have a wide variety of ages on Varsity, but everyone has gotten closer with team bonding. Being so close to one another, like we are, really helps our communication skills on the field and just boosts our overall morale,” said Kelly. 

The Pirates are 4-6-1 overall, with all four wins blowouts in which they held their opponents to one goal or fewer. With a variety of players and great skills across the board for the Pirates, they have held all their games to close matches. It’s not all players, though; their new coaches have contributed to the success of girls’ soccer this season by preparing them for matchups. “Our coaches are super positive with us. They show us what needs to be worked on, and they look at a bunch of stats from the opposing team to help us scout them. They are always standing up for us with the refs, and it just shows they care,” said Kelly. “Coach Cesar goes through the game plan at practice before the game and gives us our positioning, and he always makes sure to let us know if there are going to be any changes,” Pimienta said.

With the majority of their matches being close ones, the team has to look to one another for support during the long stretch. “If there’s a pause in the game, the captains always try to regroup everyone and encourage each other while giving advice and constructive criticism. Communication is very important,” said Pimienta. Pimienta is a large part of this for the team; being a captain herself, she prides herself on telling people what needs to be done while encouraging them. Many of her teammates shout Pimienta out for the dedication and support that she provides for everyone. “We lift each other when we’re down, mentally and physically, we try to always tell each other the score is 0-0 and to just believe in what we’re doing,” said Kelly. 

This Tuesday, the Pirates will be taking on the Templeton Eagles at home for the second round of league. Last matchup with Templeton ended in a tie, so the girls are hoping to take the win this time on their home turf. Good luck to our Lady Pirates Soccer!