Two years ago, they went 0-10-2 in league. Last year, they
compiled eight wins in the Tri-County Athletic League and advanced
to the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Two years ago, they went 0-10-2 in league. Last year, they compiled eight wins in the Tri-County Athletic League and advanced to the Central Coast Section playoffs.
If you’re wondering what to expect from this year’s San Benito girls soccer team, though, prepare for a feast, not a famine.
“We’ve got a good crew,” coach Mike Schurig said. “I think we have a really good shot at winning league again.”
The Haybalers went 8-3-1 in the TCAL last season, 13-6-2 overall, and shared the league crown with Gilroy (7-1-4, 10-6-5). They qualified for the Division I CCS Girls Soccer Championships one year removed from a winless season, earning Schurig co-coach of the year honors.
Although they lost six seniors to graduation last year, repeating as TCAL champs is a lofty goal, but not an impossible one.
“Our returning players are really solid,” Schurig said. “I think we’ll have a strong league. I think we’ll be competing for a top spot, but it’s not going to be an easy walkthrough.
“But for the most part, a good solid portion of the team is returning.”
For one, the Lady ‘Balers will return plenty of offense in sophomore Sophie Coelho, who was last season’s freshmen of the year after pocketing 19 goals, second best in the TCAL.
As Schurig points out, however, North Salinas’ Tannia Hernandez, who led the TCAL with 28 goals, scored the bulk of her points in non-conference play. In fact, Coelho actually edged Hernandez in goals scored in league games.
“And I just think Sophie is going to get better and better,” Schurig said. “She’s looking dynamite right now. She’s really trying to lead the pack and show her stuff.”
San Benito will also return last season’s co-goalkeeper MVP Emily Key, who’s been sharpening her craft on a club team from Scotts Valley since last fall, along with teammate Christiana Perez, Schurig said.
Key, now a junior, made 103 saves through 18 games last year.
Along with Coelho and Key, a pair of first team selections last season, Schurig is also returning first-teamers and team captains Rachel Maheu and J.C. Clayton.
“I think we’d like to go out and win TCAL again and see if we can do it back to back,” Clayton said. “I think everyone is just out having fun and trying to win again, just mainly having fun and playing hard.”
Schurig said both Clayton and Maheu help lead the team in attitude, work ethic and leadership skills.
Maheu, a senior, feels that the winning will come if everyone is out there having a good time.
“My goal is for everyone to have fun and get along,” she said. “It’s nice to go out and win, but I don’t want everyone to get antsy and get nervous. We’ve all been playing soccer for so long. We just know how to do it.”
Joined by second-teamers Perez and Yaira Lizarraga, and honorable mentions Janessa Gillies and Samantha Moreno, the Lady ‘Balers will open their season Friday in a non-league game at Seaside.
With a preseason schedule anchored by Santa Catalina (winners of five Mission Trail Athletic League titles since 2000) and Scotts Valley (who’ve qualified for the CCS D-III championship the last three years), San Benito will have plenty of measuring-stick games before the TCAL opens on Dec. 12 against Notre Dame.
Losing seniors Carly Brigantino and Brittany Huth, however, who Schurig called “the driving force” last season, will be an obstacle in the way of what the Lady ‘Balers are hoping to be a perfect season.
But even in preseason practices, the Hollister coach is already experiencing a response to that challenge. Of course, nothing is certain until San Benito notches a few games under their collective belts.
The junior varsity and varsity teams will play at Seaside at 3:30 p.m.
“There’s definitely some drive for these girls,” Schurig said. “From what I’ve seen so far, it’s looking good.”
