Women’s soccer dominates

Solid win caps strong finish to the season

City College Julie Alba (3), battles Hartnell defender Amparo Olivo (16), for possession in the second half of their final game on Nov. 13.  RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN
City College Julie Alba (3), battles Hartnell defender Amparo Olivo (16), for possession in the second half of their final game on Nov. 13. RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN

By Nick Palm
Staff Writer

The first chapter of a new era for City College women’s soccer came to a close on Nov. 13 as the Rams defeated Hartnell College 3-1 in their final game of the season.
Freshman forward Christina Barreto scored two goals, allowing the Rams to breeze by their long-time rivals.
“We played great,” first-year head coach Gabriel Saucedo said. “Going into the game, we had a game plan: Try to get the ball to our forwards as early and as often as possible. That’s what we did.”
“It was really exciting,” Barreto said after winning by such a solid margin.This was the Rams’ second win of the season against Hartnell, previously beating them 1-0. Although going 5-11-4 this year, Saucedo has found his place with the team.
“The coaching is way better this year,” sophomore team captain Malorie Swanson said. “Coach Saucedo really knows what he is doing.”
The season didn’t start out very smoothly for the team, which was searching for players nearly until the season began.
“It was a little hectic at the beginning, but we pulled it together,” Barreto said. “We were still learning how to play together as a team.”
By the time Saucedo was appointed head coach and began working with the team this summer, it was too late for him to effectively recruit from high schools and local club teams.
“We started this summer with about four or five players, and we built it from there,” he said.
In turn, a successful word-of-mouth campaign began. Players recruited their friends, and Saucedo walked around campus asking women if they played soccer.
Now settled and confident in the City College soccer program, Saucedo has started networking with area coaches to bring in fresh talent for next season.
With over 10 players scheduled to return in 2010, a weight has been lifted from the coach’s shoulders. The team feels confident it can have a winning season.
“We’re going to have a stronger team next year,” Baretto said. “We’ll be more prepared and organized.”
It was a bittersweet win in their final game as a sophomore player for the Rams..
“It’s kind of unreal that this is the last game,” said Swanson, who hopes to continue playing soccer when she transfers to a four-year school next year.