A number of area scholastic girls soccer teams are hoping the bounces go their way this season as they aim for CIF gold.
At The Bishop’s School, the Lady Knights finished as CIF and Coastal South champions last year for head coach Brian Quinn at 15-3-3.
“We lost seven seniors from last year’s squad but we’ll be competitive,” Quinn said. “Our schedule is loaded with tough games in the early part of the season to prepare us for league play.”
Quinn will be looking for key efforts from the likes of returning players Hannah Brown, Bree Geary and Stevie Griglak on defense; Lindsey Holman-Kelly and Ashley Dominguez in midfield; and Annie Kadota and Laura Wyatt as attackers.
“We have a talented freshman group who will see significant minutes,” Quinn added.
Bishop’s is playing in the Cathedral Invitational Dec. 6-8.
At La Jolla Country Day School, head coach Dave Jenkins and the Lady Torreys are hoping the new season brings better things for them.
LJCD recorded a last-place Coastal League finish last winter as it continues to rebuild. Key players this season look to be seniors Allison Dorr, Cody Saleh, Jessica Hershfield and Jasmne Edwards.
“We’re still rebuilding from two years ago, but we should have a better showing than last year,” Jenkins said.
LJCD is participating this week in the Baron’s Tournament.
Finally, La Jolla High went 12-8-3 last winter for head coach Kristin Jones. La Jolla lost in overtime in the CIF quarterfinals to eventual runner-up Valhalla.
Key returnees this season include sweeper Simi Sharp, midfielders Nihal Kayali, Maddie Sharp and Jessica Wood, and defender Tess Plant-Thomas. Key newcomers look to be forward Callan Parra and midfielder Briana Chapman.
“This season we are very young, but that might help us in the long run in the sense that they work hard and are very easy to coach,” Jones said. “They play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and you can feel their desire to win. I feel we have the potential to challenge Cathedral for the Western League title and hopefully have a good run through playoffs. The potential is there, so it is just a matter of making it click.”
La Jolla has gotten off to a 3-0 start this season, scoring wins over El Capitan, Madison and San Marcos.