Entering his seventh year as Live Oak’s girls varsity soccer
coach, Tony Vasquez expects his team to compete in the Cental Coast
Section playoffs at the end of the season.
”
Every year we look to win league and win in the CCS,
”
said Vasquez.
”
That’s always our goal.
”
Morgan Hill – Entering his seventh year as Live Oak’s girls varsity soccer coach, Tony Vasquez expects his team to compete in the Cental Coast Section playoffs at the end of the season.
“Every year we look to win league and win in the CCS,” said Vasquez. “That’s always our goal.”
The Acorns will have to acheive their goals without Michelle McDonald, Lena Marsh and Katie Renteria, who graduated last spring and leave Live Oak with large cleets to fill.
McDonald scored 80-plus goals in her four-year varsity career at Live Oak at the forward position. Marsh ran everything in the middle of the field for the Acorns at the center midfield position and Renteria was a jack-of-all trades for Live Oak as a rover and defender.
The senior leadership that those three players provided, leave a hole to be filled. “Two years ago we made it to the CCS final and they were key to getting us there,” said Vasquez.
The Acorns will rely on returning players, like senior Jamie Hickey, to fill those holes. Hickey, a four-year varsity player for Live Oak, anchors the defense and provides much needed leadership.
Hickey is joined by fellow senior Jenny Emick, who will provide leadership on the offense at the midfielder and forward positions. Emick will be relied on to control the middle, a big responsibility.
“Hopefully Jenny can score some of the goals that we’ll be missing from Michelle’s departure,” said Vasquez.
Sophomores Alayna Bongiorno and Sarah Locarnini started for the Acorns as freshman last season and bring a lot of experience to the team. “As freshmen last year they did very well,” said Vasquez. “We expect more from them now that they’re sophomores.”
Live Oak also welcomes freshmen, Amanda Whitling and Jessica Rinauro, to the varsity squad, expecting both to see playing time at the forward and midfield positions this season. Whitling has impressed coaches with her hustle and her unwillingness to back down from the older girls on the field.
“They’ve been working hard and will contribute to the team,” said Vasquez. “They should help out a lot.”
With a mix of younger players and veterans, the biggest challenge facing the Acorns this season will be their ability to come together, get on the same page and work as team.
Live Oak got its first test of the season at the Tri County Athletic League jamboree last weekend, where they tied all three games they played and discovered some things they need to work on.
“There’s formation stuff,” explained Vasquez. “We have new girls coming in trying to learn the system.”
The Acorns head to Palo Alto tomorrow for their matchup with Homestead in the Palo Alto Tournament. The tournament lasts for three days and will give Live Oak a chance to see where they’re at and what they still need to work on.
Acorns girls team
Key Losses
Michelle McDonald F
Lena Marsh, Mid Fielder
Katie Renteria, Rover/Defender
key returnees
Jamie Hickey, Sr, Defender
Jenny Emick, Sr, Midfielder/Forward
Alayna Bongiorno, So, Midfielder
Sarah Locarnini, So, Midfielder
top newcomers
Amanda Whitling, Fr, Midfielder/Forward
Jessica Rinauro, Fr, Forward/Midfielder
2005-2006 Live Oak Girls Soccer Schedule
Date Time Opponent Where
11/30 2:00 Tourney Palo Alto
12/1 2:00 Tourney Palo Alto
12/3 TBA Tourney Palo Alto
12/5 3:30 Leland Live Oak
12/6 3:30 Valley Christian AWAY
12/13 3:30 Notre Dame Live Oak
12/14 5:30 Gilroy Gilroy
12/21 TBA Tri-Valley Classic Las Lomas
12/22 TBA Tri-Valley Classic Las Lomas
12/23 TBA Tri-Valley Classic Las Lomas
01/10 3:30 Hollister Live Oak
01/12 3:30 North Salinas N. Salinas
01/19 3:30 Sobrato Live Oak
01/24 5:00 Salinas Salinas
01/26 3:30 Notre Dame CSUMB
01/28 10:00Gilroy Live Oak
01/31 3:30 Hollister Hollister
02/2 3:30 N. Salinas Live Oak
02/7 3:30 Sobrato Sobrato
02/9 3:30 Salinas Live Oak
