With the Acorns’ girls soccer team out to a strong start this season, Live Oak will continue to rely on the steady play of junior forward Alissa Pham.
At 4-2-1 and 1-1-1 in league play, the Acorns plan to compete for a Central Coast Section title on the shoulders of Pham. Last season, Pham was explosive, collecting 22 points in 16 matches. What makes Pham such a dynamic player is her ability to score at any time.
“Pham brings scoring. Her role on this team, realistically, is to just put the ball in the back of the net,” Acorns coach Tony Vasquez said. “They all (the team) want to get back to CCS finals and win league again, and that’s our goal.”
A junior, Pham looks to continue to improve from last year’s breakout season. Teammates look to Pham for leadership.
“Obviously she has skill and everyone looks up to that and really aspires to play like her and have her ability. And she’s not afraid to speak her mind, and that’s a great quality,” senior captain Cindy Barker said.
Born in Gilroy, Pham grew up knowing that she always wanted to play soccer as she got involved with competitive soccer when she was young. While playing club sports, Pham met her mentor and friend both on and off the field in Vasquez.
“When I was little, I used to do gymnastics. And then once my gym closed down, my best friend at the time who was playing soccer told me to try out for the team,” Pham said. “I tried out for my age group comp team – Tony’s club team, and I made it.”
Vasquez was instrumental in Pham’s developing soccer career. Vasquez and Pham have worked together since she was in sixth grade and Pham chose to attend Live Oak.
After demonstrating her knack for scoring during her freshman year, Pham came out strong in her sophomore season, netting 10 goals and tallying 12 assists.
This season, Pham already has seven goals and three assists. During matches and in practice, Pham likes to lead her teammates by example and pushes herself to be a better player.
However, off the field, Pham is just a normal teenager. Working as a babysitter, Pham enjoys the experience of interacting with children. If she’s not working, sitting in class or honing her soccer skills, Pham likes to relax and hang out with friends, especially Barker.
“I just like to hang out with my friends and do whatever. I don’t really do anything besides soccer and school,” Pham said.
Vasquez is close with Pham’s parents.
“It’s funny because I went to high school with Pham’s parents. Both her dad and mom were with me at Live Oak, and its just funny because Alissa babysits my daughter. We have a really good relationship,” Vasquez said.
Barker and Pham have become not only great friends, but also extraordinary teammates while playing at Live Oak. Their personal friendship extends to their friends and family as well.
“We not only play soccer but talk about soccer together. Soccer is a major aspect of our friendship, and that’s how we got together and we stayed close,” Barker said.
Pham would like to pursue a career in soccer as far as she can go and tailors her game after U.S. women’s soccer star Alex Morgan. She is currently looking into attending Santa Clara or San Jose State, and she would like to stay close to home.
One thing Pham knows how to do is have fun. Whether it’s with friends in or out of school, or with family at home, her spunky and carefree attitude makes everyone around her feel relaxed and comfortable.
“Alissa is a great person. She’s great as a leader. She’s responsible and great in school as well as outside. In general, she’s an awesome person,” Barker said.
Pham added, “I hang out with all my teammates outside of school and I see different sides of them. I’m closer with some of them than with others, but it’s just really fun to see different sides of them. I hang out with a lot of them outside of school. So we’re like best friends, and I just know everyone pretty well.”
