Local girls’ soccer teams ready for start of season
CRESCENTA VALLEY
COACH: Jorden Schulz, third year.
LEAGUE: Pacific
LAST SEASON: 13-5-2, 11-1-2 for tie for first place in Pacific League. Lost to Long Beach Millikan, 2-1, in first round of CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sierra Rhoads, senior, forward/defender; Whitley Boller, senior, midfielder/defender; Katie Callister, senior, midfielder; Sarah Worden, junior, forward/defender; Grace Keller, sophomore, forward/midfielder; Olivia Bird, junior, defender..
SCHULZ’ QUOTE: “We want [to win the league title] for ourselves, we’re selfish. That would be our No. 1 goal.”
FLINTRIDGE PREP
COACH: Esteban Chavez, fifth year.
LEAGUE: Prep
LAST SEASON: 15-3-1, 9-1 for first place in Prep League. Lost to Chino Hills, 1-1 (2-0), in first round of CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Casey Cousineau, senior, goalie; Kaitlyn Kelleher, senior, midfielder; Whitney Cohen, senior, defender, Abby Letts, senior, midfielder/defender; Kaelin King, senior, forward; Chelsea Johnson, junior, defender; Jordan Hudson, senior, defender.
CHAVEZ’ QUOTE: “I have high expectations because we have eight returning starters.”
FLINTRIDGE SACRED HEART ACADEMY
COACH: Cesar Hidalgo, first year
LEAGUE: Mission
LAST SEASON: 13-5-4, 6-2-2 for second place in the Mission League. Lost to Capistrano Valley, 3-2, in overtime of first round of CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kayla Mills, senior, utility; Sarah Teegarden, senior, defender; Kendall Sandoval, senior, defender; Claire Kostelnik, senior, defender; Krista Meaglia, senior, midfielder; Savannah Viola, senior, midfielder; Miranda Saldivar, senior, midfielder; Hailey James, senior; midfielder; Laura Thompson, junior, forward; Hannah Armendariz, sophomore, forward.
HIDALGO’S QUOTE: “We have a seasoned defensive core and some fast, talented offensive players. We are not 18 deep as we have been in previous years, but if we can keep our best 16 healthy we will be fun to watch.”
GLENDALE
COACH: Victor Aquino, third year.
LEAGUE: Pacific
LAST SEASON: 4-13-3, 3-10-1 for sixth place in Pacific League. Did not qualify for playoffs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Aline Graham, junior, midfielder; Natalie Harmon, senior, midfielder; Cecile Le Duff, junior, forward.
AQUINO’S QUOTE: “We’re hoping to make of the playoff spots this year.”
GLENDALE ADVENTIST ACADEMY
COACH: Melvin Ramos, first year.
LEAGUE: Liberty
LAST SEASON: 1-8 for sixth place in Liberty League. Did not qualify for playoffs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Susie Chamorro, junior, forward; Tatiana Chamorro, junior, midfielder; Brittany Duran, senior, defender; Renee Morales, senior, goalkeeper.
RAMOS’ QUOTE: “My expectations will be to have a good defensive team and work our way out. Having a good defense creates a good offense. We have a group that can be good.”
HOLY FAMILY
COACH: Gerardo Gonzalez, second year.
LEAGUE: Horizon
LAST SEASON: 0-9, 0-8 for fifth place in Horizon League. Did not qualify for playoffs.
GONZALEZ’ QUOTE: “I think we will be better this season. I hope we can win at least one game this year.”
HOOVER
COACH: Anastasious Metallinos, first year.
LEAGUE: Pacific
LAST SEASON: 4-12-1, 2-11-1 for seventh place in Pacific League. Did not qualify for postseason.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jazmine Medina, senior, defender; Jessica Rivera, senior, forward; Jordan Miller, sophomore, midfielder; Talin Kojadabian, junior, midfielder; Ashley Flores, senior, midfielder.
METALLINOS’ QUOTE: “My goal at this point is to solidify the program by getting the numbers up.”