Last year’s women’s soccer team finished its season with a loss to Fresno City College in the second round of the playoffs, a finish that is helping shape this season.

While the Hawks are mostly comprised of new recruits, having only two returning players, head coach Cesar Plasencia is not letting that stand in the way of his faith in the team for the coming season.

“Our attacking qualities are a strength,” Plasencia said. “We have very skilled players who are talented in attacking.”

The loss to Fresno City College last season is motivation for the coach and returning players in their drive for the playoffs this season.

New players to the team are not motivated in the same way but are no less ready to take their team all the way.

The Hawks’ new center midfielder recruit Jessica DeAnda agrees with her head coach on the strengths of the team.

“Our team’s strength is attacking,” DeAnda said. “We have a lot of attackers on this team for scoring goals and getting numbers.”

While attacking is a main goal for the team, returning defender Rachel Dube believes that there are other key factors to making sure the team succeeds this season.

“We need to build a strong defense,” Dube said. “And make sure we have a tight team of girls without any drama.”

Getting to the final four and winning a state championship are goals that Plasencia has set for his team,  goals he believes they can achieve by following a certain philosophy.

“We employ an attractive style of soccer,” Plasencia said. “We control the ball, control the score and control the game.”

The lack of senior members among the mostly freshman team was one challenge both Dube and Plasencia pointed out. The team is not very familiar with one another and have a lot to learn before their first game.

“There are a lot of freshman,” Dube said. “Talent is good but we don’t know each other.”

The new season begins against the team that ended their season last year, Fresno City College, on Aug. 28 at home.

“We look to get to the final four and win the state championship,” Plasencia said. “I think this team has the ability.”

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