The San Benito High girls’ soccer team’s identity for the 2013-14 season will revolve around its ability to outlast teams from an endurance standpoint.
“When other teams start to tire and burn out, our girls won’t,” said second-year Balers coach Becky Bonner, whose team opened up the season with a 5-1 win over Sobrato on Tuesday. “(From an effort standpoint) these girls push themselves to the next level. It’s something beautiful to see, actually, because it takes a lot of mental toughness to be able to push your body and mind to the limit.”
Fortunately for the Balers, they have some talent to go along with that workmanlike attitude and effort. San Benito returns six starters and 11 players overall from a team that finished 12-4-4 overall, 8-0-4 in the Monterey Bay League’s Gabilan Division and advanced to the Central Coast Section Division I playoff quarterfinals a year ago.
Bonner is going to utilize a 4-5-1 formation (four defenders, five midfielders, one forward), meaning the team’s midfielders are going to push up the action as much as possible. Ilana Woods and Brianna Bengivengo will switch off as the team’s lone player up top.
The team’s top returning player is senior midfielder Kristen Callanta, who scored 14 goals and had 19 assists last season. Callanta has been offered a scholarship to play at Converse College in South Carolina, a Division II program.
San Benito has another playmaking midfielder in Chace Miguel, and a host of quality defenders in Serena Adame, Alexandria Osborn and Jackson Sierra. The one vulnerability might be in goal, as the Balers have two players — Jennifer Martin and Hailey Blackburn — who enter the season with no previous varsity experience.
However, Bonner feels both players are improving and capable of getting the job done. San Benito will know early on if it’s ready to join the section’s elite. Bonner set up a tough non-league schedule, including games against traditional CCS powers Leigh and Palo Alto.
“We’re really fortunate to be able to set up a rigorous preseason schedule,” Bonner said. “We’re playing teams that are generally more competitive than in our league to make sure to prepare us for the postseason.”
Bonner sees a ton of positives for the new season, from the diversity of the offensive attack to the cohesiveness of the defense.
“We have a lot of strength on offense and our defenders work together and do a great job of building the attack from the back of the field,” Bonner said. “All of our forwards are tenacious, fast and very quick with the ball on their feet. They understand the game completely, and our defenders also do a great job of pressuring the opposition and regaining possession.”
Coming off a fine season, the Balers are hoping for a potentially historic season. One thing is for certain: If San Benito doesn’t reach its goals, it won’t be due to a lack of effort.
“We have a lot of returning players who are dedicated to the program, and a lot of young newcomers who are working hard,” Bonner said. “It’s nice to have girls who continually work on their skill set and have the right attitude to get better. In the process, everyone’s play gets elevated, so we’re very lucky to have that dynamic on our team. Being able to push yourself is a very good trait to have in soccer, and we’re ready to go.”
