Excitement abounds for the Hollister High girls soccer team,
which opens up its non-league schedule Wednesday at Anzar.
Excitement abounds for the Hollister High girls soccer team, which opens up its non-league schedule Wednesday at Anzar.
There’s excitement about the ball-handing and finishing skills of forward Jennifer Vandenberg. There’s excitement about the jet-like threat of forward Jenny Maheu. There’s excitement of the Baler defense, which will be the most experienced in school history. And there’s the excitement of three night games at Andy Hardin Field, a first at Hollister High.
“I’ve tried to have night games since last season,” said Baler girls coach Michael Schurig, in his second season. “It’s an opportunity for the parents to come see their kids play. The referees association likes it also because two refs can work back-to-back games.”
The Balers, 7-4-2 for fourth place in the Monterey Bay League last year (9-8-3 overall), will be in the new Tri-County Athletic League. They play a 10-game schedule, playing each team twice. The co-favorites would have to be Live Oak and Notre Dame. The Acorns are traditionally strong and the Spirits, who tabbed the Balers with two of their league losses a year ago, return most of their top players.
“Live Oak is strong because they have a feeder program,” said Schurig. “It will be interesting to see how Gilroy will be with a new coach. We have a chance to win the league.”
The Balers will test Live Oak in the league opener on Jan. 9.
On paper, at least, the Balers look fairly strong. Starting with defense, one of the keys will be how senior Chanin-Rae Maka does in goal as she takes over for four-year starter Jillian Williams. Schurig feels he has a solid backup in sophomore Mary VonUrff, just out from tennis.
“Jillian and I practiced a lot together last season,” said Maka. “I was frustrated playing behind her, but I was glad I was on varsity because I got to work with her. I’m a vocal goalie. That’s what I do best.”
Maka will have to be extra loud for there may be no more louder player on the field than senior sweeper Brianna Griffith, an honorable mention All-MBL player last season.
“Brianna and I have a little thing going when it comes to yelling,” joked Maka.
Junior Amy Baxter, a First Team All-MBL player, returns as stopper. Senior Lorena Villagomez, an honorable mention All-Leaguer last season, is the team’s right defender. Junior Becky Bonner will start at left defender. All four members of the defense started last season.
“Our defense is solid,” said Schurig. “We have to be able to rely on them to win this year.”
The real key could be in the midfield. Rosalind Grey, who did a fairly good job as a junior last year, moved back to Oregon.
Seniors Vanessa Gowett and Allison Schmidt, two girls who can run for days, are first on the depth chart at outside midfielder. Sophomore Julie Broyer, who can fly, is at right mid, with junior Chantelle Guajardo at center midfielder.
“I want our midfield performing better this season,” said Schurig. “They need to do a better job of supporting our forwards and getting back to support our defense. We’d have two up and two back sometimes. It wasn’t consistent.”
Jill Merrigan and sophomore Michelle Sanchez will add depth to the midfield for Schurig.
Baler fans have the luxury of watching two entertaining strikers – Vandenberg and Maheu. Vandenberg, who tallied 22 goals as a freshman, was selected to the all-MBL first team. Maheu, a buzzsaw when she runs, was named second team all-league.
Vandenberg participated recently with the 17-and-under Olympic Developmental Pool and received a tryout to the upcoming state tryouts.
“I’ve seen lots of improvement this year,” said Vandenberg. “Everyone has improved on one-touching the ball. Hopefully we’ll have a good season.”
Schurig is happy on what he has seen thus far.
“One, we’re in better condition than we were at this time last season,” said Schurig. “Two, we have a year under our belt developing team chemistry.”
“We need teamwork to win,” said Gowett. “We have the team to do it.”
The Balers’ first home match is Friday against Alisal.
