Last season, the Live Oak High girls soccer team followed the
lead of four key seniors en route to a Central Coast Section
co-championship. If they
’re to repeat that feat this season, the Acorns will have to
rely on some new senior leadership. And, Acorn girls coach Tony
Vasquez said there’s little doubt where it’s going to come from.
That’s because there are only five seniors on this year’s squad,
and only three of them have much ex
perience.
Last season, the Live Oak High girls soccer team followed the lead of four key seniors en route to a Central Coast Section co-championship.
If they’re to repeat that feat this season, the Acorns will have to rely on some new senior leadership.
And, Acorn girls coach Tony Vasquez said there’s little doubt where it’s going to come from. That’s because there are only five seniors on this year’s squad, and only three of them have much experience.
Those three include high-scoring forward Michelle McDonald, midfielder Lena Marsh and forward/midfielder Katie Renteria, who played varsity as a sophomore but missed all of last season with an injury.
“Those are our three captains and the team will go as far as those three let us,” Vasquez said.
And, Vasquez left little doubt as to who he’s hoping will take the lead early on.
“We’re expecting big things from (McDonald),” he said. “She’ll be our leading scorer again and she’ll score many goals but we’re also expecting her to be more of a leader this season.”
Lest anyone think Live Oak is a three-player team, think again. The Acorns boast several other top returning players who played key roles on last year’s team.
Leading the way on defense are juniors Jaime Hickey and goalie Andrea Riolo, both all-leaguers a season ago.
In addition, sophomore Shawna McKeown and Ashley Thomas both were solid contributors last season who will be expected to move into starting positions.
And, freshman Alayna Bongiorno ha made an early bid for playing time.
Live Oak would have been even deeper if a couple of key players were available, including speedy, high-scoring junior Cobbie Jones, who chose not to play, and sophomore Allison Power, who transferred to Valley Christian.
But that doesn’t mean Vasquez isn’t expecting another run at another in a long string of league titles and a CCS championship.
Last year, the Acorns finished the year 16-3-5 overall, won a Tri-County Athletic League title, and claimed its first section title since 1997, tying Leland – coached by brother John – 1-1 in the Division I finals.
But LO has plenty of motivation after getting snubbed on the all-CCS team last season.
“This year, the whole thing is to win (CCS) again and to gain respect,” Vasquez said. “People in San Jose thought we came out of the blue last year. We just have to keep winning year after year. We can’t be a one-hit wonder.”
