The Gilroy girls’ soccer team made a huge turnaround last
winter, going from two wins in ’03-’04 to a program-best 15 and a
CCS berth. The Mustangs also didn’t lose to perennially strong Live
Oak for the first time in 15 years. They tied the Acorns 2-2 both
times the teams met.
Gilroy – The Gilroy girls’ soccer team made a huge turnaround last winter, going from two wins in ’03-’04 to a program-best 15 and a CCS berth. The Mustangs also didn’t lose to perennially strong Live Oak for the first time in 15 years. They tied the Acorns 2-2 both times the teams met.
With 14 players returning, the Mustangs are looking to build on that success.
“They’re understanding that they have this golden opportunity,” said Gilroy head coach Jose Hernandez. “There’s definitely a sense of excitement. There’s no doubt we have accomplishment in mind.”
Some of those accomplishments Gilroy will be shooting for are a league title and a win in the CCS playoffs. Gilroy has never done either.
The ‘Stangs graduated TCAL Senior of the Year Alysha Davis, who was the team’s leading scorer last year with 14 goals. But Gilroy returns All-TCAL players Amanda Bruce (11 goals in ’04-’05), Stephanie Glenn (12 goals) and Joann Olivo-Pedroza (7 goals), who were the next leading scorers. Unfortunately, Hernandez said the team will be without Bruce until mid-December while she finishes her club season.
“We’re an offensively-loaded team and we’re trying to build up our defense,” said Hernandez, who describes his team as a fast-moving team that gets quick touches on the ball.
Leading that defense is first team All-TCAL senior Kendra Sato who, along with fellow senior forward Brittany Barnes, is the vocal leader on the team.
One thing the team will have to avoid is being too overconfident. Hernandez felt that happened in the season opener Wednesday against Del Mar, which the Mustangs lost 4-0.
Gilroy plays its home opener Monday against Watsonville at 5:30pm.
2004-2005 Result
15-5-3 overall, 6-1-3 in TCAL (2nd place), lost in CCS first round to Leland
Key Returnees
Amanda Bruce (Jr., MF); Stephanie Glenn (Jr., F); Joann Olivo-Pedroza (Sr., MF); Kendra Sato (Sr., D); Sara Hugo (So., MF/GK)
Key Losses
F Alysha Davis
