Defending NCL-1 co-champions ready for another run
The defending NCL-1 co-champion Lady Eagles are gunning for another winning soccer campaign this fall, hopeful that a strong core of returning veterans will once again lead the team to the promised land.
Cloverdale is coming off one of its best seasons in school history under head coach Steve Stewart, forging an NCL-1 co-championship with Middletown before ending the 2013 campaign with a trip to the post-season and an overall mark of 19-3.
Although they graduated a strong group of seniors from that squad, the 2014 Lady Eagles remain long on experience this fall. The team is led by seniors Perla Anguiano, Maria Gonzalez, Celia Pulido, Esperanza Gonzalez, and Alexa Rosas-Pimental. Senior Haleigh Ahlborn returns from injury after suffering a broken leg early last season.
Juniors include Dora Soto, Karsyn Stewart, Bailey Stewart, Catalina Gonzalez, Giselle Hernandez, and newcomer Aylene Perez. Sophomores are Lupita Gonzalez, Ana Gonzalez, and Samantha Rodriguez, while Ashley Durant and Alyce Faso are the only freshmen.
Eagles open league
The ladies kicked off the NCL-1 campaign last week at Clear Lake, using a late clutch goal from Soto to pull out an exciting 2-1 win. Anguiano tallied the other score for the Eagles.
Cloverdale continued the league road swing in Kelseyville two days later, torching the Knights for three goals in the game’s first 25 minutes. The Eagles made the lead stick the rest of the way en route to a 3-0 victory.
Rounding into form
The Eagles took their lumps early during a challenging pre-season schedule which featured a 1-2-1 record, including a forgettable 9-2 opening-season loss to defending NCS Division-3 champion Sonoma Academy.
“They are without a doubt the best team in the Section again, returning most of their starters from a 21-1 team last year,” noted coach Steve Stewart of Sonoma Academy. “They rolled us in the first half.”
Things began to improve in the team’s second outing against El Molino, battling the visiting Lions to an eventual 1-1 tie. Next up was a mediocre performance against Roseland University Prep, falling 4-1.
Cloverdale closed out the pre-league schedule in dominant fashion in a 7-0 romp over Summerfield Waldorf. Anguiano recorded a hat trick (3 goals), while other offensive contributors were Bailey Stewart (2), Karsyn Stewart (1), and Soto (1).
Upcoming matches
Cloverdale (3-2-1, 2-0) will be back on the pitch this week with a home clash against Willits on Sept. 23 (after press time) before hitting the road for a pair of away matches at Lower Lake (Thursday, Sept. 25, 4 p.m.) and Middletown (Tuesday, Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m.).
