Central Valley High School's varsity girls soccer squad had a rough start to the 2010 season, losing 6-2 at Grace Davis in non-conference action on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
"We're green," Hawks head coach Cyndi Meshach said. "We need to practice and learn how to play together."
The Hawks opened the Valley Oak League portion of their schedule earlier this month. The top three teams qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
Central Valley finished in sixth place in the conference standings (4-8-2) a season ago. The Hawks went 3-11 in 2008 and 2-12 in 2007.
"The potential is there," said Meshach, whose team posted a program-best 8-11-4 overall record in 2009. "It's just a matter of putting the pieces of the puzzle together in the manner they fit best."
Central Valley returns six players: Anabel Vazquez (MF/F, Sr.), Simi Talawan (MF, Jr.), Lizette Covarrubias (MF/F, Jr.), Ashley Lerma (G, Sr.), Daisy Avila (D, Sr.) and Cristina Dias (G, Sr.).
Vazquez and Talawan were both named to the VOL second team last year.
Anabel tallied five goals and four assists.
Talawan had two goals and two assists.
The Hawks have a strong crop of newcomers: Alyssa Meshach (MF/G, Jr.), Alyssa Long (D, Jr.), Alicia Yori (D, Jr.), Victoria Ochoa (F, Jr.), Dalia Aguayo (D, Jr.), Alexiss Cervera (D, Jr.), Elizabeth Amaya (MF/D, Jr.) and Kaelin Smith (MF, Jr.).
Meshach, Long, Yori and Ochoa were key members of Central Valley's softball team last spring.
"They play to win whether it's possible or not," Cyndi. "Their work ethic is unsurpassed. To have people on the field like that is contagious."
Aguayo, Cervera, Amaya and Smith competed at the frosh-soph level last season.
Vazquez, Meshach and Lerma were selected team captains.
Central Valley has a strong desire to emulate the success of the boys' soccer team, which has participated in the playoffs three times and captured back-to-back VOL championships during its four-year history.
The Hawks have reason to be optimistic as they increased their overall win total by five games in 2009. Central Valley beat crosstown rival Ceres High twice.
"We'd like to be remembered for doing something that has never been done before," Cyndi said.
"We're green," Hawks head coach Cyndi Meshach said. "We need to practice and learn how to play together."
The Hawks opened the Valley Oak League portion of their schedule earlier this month. The top three teams qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
Central Valley finished in sixth place in the conference standings (4-8-2) a season ago. The Hawks went 3-11 in 2008 and 2-12 in 2007.
"The potential is there," said Meshach, whose team posted a program-best 8-11-4 overall record in 2009. "It's just a matter of putting the pieces of the puzzle together in the manner they fit best."
Central Valley returns six players: Anabel Vazquez (MF/F, Sr.), Simi Talawan (MF, Jr.), Lizette Covarrubias (MF/F, Jr.), Ashley Lerma (G, Sr.), Daisy Avila (D, Sr.) and Cristina Dias (G, Sr.).
Vazquez and Talawan were both named to the VOL second team last year.
Anabel tallied five goals and four assists.
Talawan had two goals and two assists.
The Hawks have a strong crop of newcomers: Alyssa Meshach (MF/G, Jr.), Alyssa Long (D, Jr.), Alicia Yori (D, Jr.), Victoria Ochoa (F, Jr.), Dalia Aguayo (D, Jr.), Alexiss Cervera (D, Jr.), Elizabeth Amaya (MF/D, Jr.) and Kaelin Smith (MF, Jr.).
Meshach, Long, Yori and Ochoa were key members of Central Valley's softball team last spring.
"They play to win whether it's possible or not," Cyndi. "Their work ethic is unsurpassed. To have people on the field like that is contagious."
Aguayo, Cervera, Amaya and Smith competed at the frosh-soph level last season.
Vazquez, Meshach and Lerma were selected team captains.
Central Valley has a strong desire to emulate the success of the boys' soccer team, which has participated in the playoffs three times and captured back-to-back VOL championships during its four-year history.
The Hawks have reason to be optimistic as they increased their overall win total by five games in 2009. Central Valley beat crosstown rival Ceres High twice.
"We'd like to be remembered for doing something that has never been done before," Cyndi said.
