Coach Manuel Machado saw the success of the Comet boys’ soccer team last season in not only getting past sub-state, but also making a deep run into the Iowa State Tournament. He can now picture his West Liberty High School girls’ soccer team on the edge of that pool, ready to dive into the spotlight.
But first, the veteran coach says, his team has to show a lot of improvement during their regular season and “be able to finish” scoring goals in order to make that kind of run at the end of the season. He says the team has the potential, bringing back nearly every starter from a year ago, including some of the team’s best scorers.
Machado says the boys team is a “big inspiration” for his 18 member squad and says he’s doing his best to prepare the team for what could potentially be one of their best seasons ever which begins Tuesday, March 28, when the team goes up against a talented Vinton-Shellsburg High School squad for their first match at 5:30 p.m.
The team opens their 14-game season against two of their toughest opponents, following up with a 1:30 p.m. home outing Saturday, April 2, with rival Iowa City Regina on the West Liberty High School soccer/football field.
The schedule includes a number of bigger class schools including Solon and Clinton, some Machado said would be great experience for his team in facing stiffer competition.
The coach says he’s learned from Coach Walton Ponce’s successful program, gaining tips he hopes will bring success to the girls program as well. “If the girls follow the steps, train well and keep trying to improve, we can achieve success,” he said.
Machado said his girls have to learn better how to play as a team, improve on their passing play better defense, and finish by scoring, a key area where the team fell short a year ago despite getting a lot of opportunities. “We should have been a higher scoring team last year,” he said, noting his girls are working on curing that flaw.
Still, this year’s team is young, having just two seniors on their roster including leading scorer Sailor Hall as well as Shelya Madrigal. Juniors compose the bulk of the team, with 10 players on the squad including goalie Crystal Ladezma as well as Monica Morales, Jessica Lopez-Martinez, Karla Velasco, Kylie Struck, Finley Hall, Aisha Murguia, Kinzie Akers, Magaly Kivi and Natalie Rodriguez.
There are three sophomores on the team including Mae Wainwright, Nellie Stagg and Amerie Alvarado along with freshmen Gaby Morales, Sophie Buysse, Jessica Madrigal and Maggie Maloney.
Machado is enthusiastic about some of his younger players as well who he thinks will contribute to the success of the team, in particularly pointing out the early practice play of first-time soccer player Sophie Buysse, who he called, “a big surprise.” He said her determination to score could help the team as she learns the game. He said Nellie Stagg is also a strong returner to the team.
The coach said the Hall sisters, Sailor and Finley, will play a big role offensively along with wing players Monica Morales and Kylie Struck.
“I’m pretty high on our team this year,” the coach said, noting with the majority of his team back, they should be able to compete in every game, noting some early success would help build some confidence.