Freshman Should Make Sudden Impact

It might be a while before Santa Margarita freshman Katie Rivera is given the role of team enforcer or team spokesperson. But the slight and reserved 14-year-old already has been given a more important role for the two-time defending Division II champions--goal scorer.

Senior co-captain Erica Perrotta, who earned a starting role at the end of her freshman year, said Rivera looks and acts like a freshman, but doesn’t play like one.

“I don’t know many freshmen who have the skills she has,” Perrotta said. “I don’t know how she’ll hold herself against the bigger players. She’s really small. When you look at her, you think ‘She’s going to score our goals this year?’ But once she starts playing, you realize she’s pretty good.”

Santa Margarita Coach Chuck Morales realized the same thing. That’s why he named the 5-foot-4, 108-pound Rivera the starting striker before she had even played a game in high school.

“Katie is going to be a dynamo,” Morales said. “She’s very unassuming. She’s so shy. But she’s not timid with the ball. She talks with her feet.”

Perrotta, an outside midfielder and one of only three seniors, said she and her teammates are still getting to know Rivera.

“She doesn’t really talk to us,” Perrotta said. “But I remember being a little like that as a freshman.”

Rivera doesn’t talk much to reporters either. But she did indicate, with much prodding, that she is happy to be a member of the varsity.

“I thought I’d make junior varsity,” said Rivera, who plays club soccer for the Southern California Blues. “I didn’t expect this.”

But Morales and other coaches believe Rivera is part of a growing trend of technically sound freshmen who will make an impact on the high school level immediately.

“The training is better,” Morales said. “The clubs are stronger. These kids are coming in with 200 to 300 games under their belt. You almost have to give them a chance to play, because they bring so much to the table. Their fundamental work is all in place. Four or five years ago, we had to teach them how to collect the ball. Now they play it fast and under control.”

Four other freshmen will play for Santa Margarita this year, including Joanna Irwin, who will probably start at forward alongside Rivera. The other freshmen, defender Daniella Bosio, forward Becca Mildrew and midfielder Lisa Perrotta, will also probably get playing time.

There are plenty more skilled freshmen around the county who will not only start, but star. Sixth-ranked Marina will play four freshmen.

“There are kids 9 and 10 years old learning what kids 13 and 14 were learning five years ago, and it’s because of the club training,” Capistrano Valley Coach Jack Peterson said. “This year is just the start. The crop of freshmen for next year will be even better.”

But Peterson wonders if any will be better than Rivera, who has been playing club soccer since she was 9.

“That’s an exception to the rule,” Peterson said. “She was born with a gift. To see her play, you’d never know she’s a freshman. She’s a potential national team kid.”

But Rivera is beginning to realize that even talented freshmen are still just freshmen.

“The seniors make us pick up everything after practice,” Rivera said. “They yell at us all the time. But I take it pretty well.”

Rivera is also learning to take a hit.

“I’ve gotten crushed by seniors at practice,” she said. “But I can handle it.”

Morales hopes she’s right.

“The size and the physicality, that’s the concern,” Morales said. “Can these freshmen handle the four-year age spread?”

Don’t ask Rivera. Just watch her play.