COLLEGE COURSE: Coyotes Women’s Soccer
Talking with Cal State San Bernardino women’s soccer coach once and his excitement for the game practically jumps through the phone. This man loves soccer, and was kind enough to answer my call last week.
Here’s the majority of what I didn’t use for my CSUSB fall sports preview in the Press-Enterprise.
Q: What’s the form of the team heading into the 2011 season?
A: “The thing we’re looking at the most is to see which girls are gonna step up. We have a very deep bench and a number of returning players. In an inner-squad scrimmage, and it was a tie. It’s fun to see which 11 come out of the crowd and establishing themselves as starters.”
Q: Any thoughts on the 2010 season?
A: “Last season we started really well, had a couple of injuries, but now the reality is we return 10 players that started significant time. That’s like having up to 10 seniors starting. So we’ve been really, really focused of fitness in this spring.”
Q: Where are goals going to come from this season?
A: We return most of our goal scorers, (Jani) Carmona, (Allison) Pena, (Brittany) Wilding, (Amanda) Villavicencio … most of the girls who scored goals last season.
Q: What role will Carmona play this year?
A: “Jani is a 22-year-old junior she takes advantage of her age and maturity. We’re anticipating the same kind of output from her. She’s a very technically gifted soccer player. I want her to merge into the team a little more, get more players involved. The key for this season is to get another, second goal scorer.”
Q: How will this year be different that your first two?
A; “This is my third year at Cal State, and this group isn’t used to losing. Being above .500 is normal. Now it’s being able to take the next step. We score 35 goals in 18 games last year. That’s got to be pretty high in history of program. So the key this season will be tightening up the defense, with the additions and the experience of a relatively dangerous team in this conference.”
Q: Which schools pose the biggest challenge?
A: “UC San Diego, first and foremost, we’re 1-5 against them in my time and only scored one goal. In our last game we out-shot them 15-1 but they beat us. They’re a big hump for us. Dominguez Hills and (Cal State) L.A. are shoulder-to-shoulder (with us), really close; finishing the whole season out.”
Q: What would you consider a priority for this team?
A: “Our priority is not taking bottom third lightly. Those are the games we need to win if we’re gonna be there at the end. Our players feel they can beat anybody. There’s isn’t one of our players who doesn’t think we’ll make playoffs. We’re focused and dialed in right now.”
This team stands to benefit from Carmona’s experience, no doubt. A grown women like Carmona has an advantage over 18-and 19-year-olds, in both physical skills and awareness, that is nearly impossible for opponents to match. Go to the team’s site here.
If they can bring this advantage to bear against UC San Diego, the Coyotes may be ready to howl.
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 