Davis scores two to lead GHS girls kickers to 3-0 win oer
LCP
GILROY – It’s been a long time since a successful girls soccer program came out of Gilroy High – which has struggled in the past to get enough players out and then put together a winning formula.
Well, this season is already looking different with first-year head coach Jose Hernandez at the helm and 18 girls on the varsity roster as well as 25 on the junior varsity – which is coached by former All-League sweeper Jorge Cruz.
On Friday afternoon, the Lady Mustangs (1-1) picked up their first non-league victory with an impressive 3-0 nod over visiting Latino College Prep, out of San Jose.
“It feels really good,” said Hernandez, who was an assistant on the boys junior varsity squad last season. “I was happy. We worked on a few things yesterday in practice and mistakes we made in the first game on Wednesday and we corrected them.”
Junior striker Alysha Davis netted a team-high two goals in the first half to lead the Gilroy attack and freshman phenom Nubia Diaz de Leon scored the third strike in the second half.
“I’ve been very proud of these girls because every time we make a mistake the next time they do it they’ll correct it,” said Hernandez, whose squad dropped its opener 6-0 to Woodside last week. “We’re improving. That’s all I can ask.”
Senior center fullback Lizzette Gonzalez, the team captain, anchors the Lady Mustang defense along with senior sweeper Megan Olea. Also expected to contribute on the defensive end are junior Dulce Alonso, freshman Margaret Burton, sophomore Mayra Cervantes, sophomore Jenny Lid, senior Gabriella Lustre, and sophomore Desirea Vilchis.
“Their attitude really is just the big one. With practice, the one thing I want to establish this year is to make sure that know it is a team effort,” Hernandez said. “So if you’re not the one taking the shot, you’re the one overlapping and helping confuse the defense. Anything that helps score that goal is all that matters.”
Davis and Diaz de Leon head up the Lady Mustang attack line along with freshman standout Amanda Bruce – who registered an assist in Friday’s victory. The forward/wing rotation also includes junior Maria Alfaro, junior Brenda Canales, senior Dulce Cintora, junior Luz Cortez, freshman Erin Sterner, freshman Amanda Bruce and senior Cydney Fong – who just finished up her field hockey season.
“Today was very good because they got a chance to communicate more. They were overlapping, give-and-goes, they were crossing,” Hernandez said. “The thing we need to work on next is our wings and having the same communication from the wings to the forwards. They still need to work on their timing and passes.”
The Lady Mustangs will continue non-league action Dec. 2 at home against Saint Francis and then on the road Dec. 4 against Evergreen. Both games are scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
“I’ve been very impressed with our freshmen. I’m personally looking at the improvement of my freshmen as leaders and as players,” Hernandez said. “My seniors, they’re going to be the ones carrying us through. They’re going to be the heart and soul. The freshmen and the underclassmen will be that energy that we need. We just have to find a way to bring it all together.”
