Varisty soccer prepares for upcoming season
By Kassandra Saldana
El Rodeo Staff Writer
El Rodeo Staff Writer
The El Rancho boys’ varsity soccer team is ready to get into this year’s season as a division one team for the first time in El Rancho history. They went from division two to division one at the start of the school year.
Their pre-season kicked off on November 29 against Warren High School. Sophomore Joseph Reyes scored a goal and ended the game in a tie. Their second game was on December 2, finishing in a loss against Millikan High School 2-1. However they won against Montebello on December 11, ending the game in 1-0.
Even though the difficulty of their games has increased, Coach Goyanaga believes that the boys can compete with anyone. “I want our boys to compete, to grow, and to dream big,” he said with high expectations. “Every year should be about taking steps forward.”
Senior captains Rodrigo Saldana and Gabriel Viramontes are eager to lead the team to victory this season. “I realized that the group's effort in winning was the best feeling, regardless of who scored,” Saldana said. Both captains are helping the team by motivating them and keeping them uplifted at all times, win or loss.
The boys are working harder than ever to improve on their weaknesses. “This year we have a different play style, and we’re working harder than ever not wasting any time,” Viramontes said. They believe that their biggest obstacle is the young group of players with a lack of experience.
However, Goyanaga still has faith in the boys and their skills. “The boys really developed their strength and endurance,” Goyanaga said. They have added an offseason weight training program to make sure the boys don’t lose their strengths and skills while they wait for the next season.
The boys are taking advice from past captains to better themselves as a team this year. “Last years captains taught me not to care what others have to say about us. The only people who are going to be experiencing the same moments are my brothers [teammates],” Saldana said.
Their strong brotherhood bond is what keeps this team determined to do well this season. As Coach Goyanaga says, “I believe that when people work hard, good things are always around the corner.”
Their pre-season kicked off on November 29 against Warren High School. Sophomore Joseph Reyes scored a goal and ended the game in a tie. Their second game was on December 2, finishing in a loss against Millikan High School 2-1. However they won against Montebello on December 11, ending the game in 1-0.
Even though the difficulty of their games has increased, Coach Goyanaga believes that the boys can compete with anyone. “I want our boys to compete, to grow, and to dream big,” he said with high expectations. “Every year should be about taking steps forward.”
Senior captains Rodrigo Saldana and Gabriel Viramontes are eager to lead the team to victory this season. “I realized that the group's effort in winning was the best feeling, regardless of who scored,” Saldana said. Both captains are helping the team by motivating them and keeping them uplifted at all times, win or loss.
The boys are working harder than ever to improve on their weaknesses. “This year we have a different play style, and we’re working harder than ever not wasting any time,” Viramontes said. They believe that their biggest obstacle is the young group of players with a lack of experience.
However, Goyanaga still has faith in the boys and their skills. “The boys really developed their strength and endurance,” Goyanaga said. They have added an offseason weight training program to make sure the boys don’t lose their strengths and skills while they wait for the next season.
The boys are taking advice from past captains to better themselves as a team this year. “Last years captains taught me not to care what others have to say about us. The only people who are going to be experiencing the same moments are my brothers [teammates],” Saldana said.
Their strong brotherhood bond is what keeps this team determined to do well this season. As Coach Goyanaga says, “I believe that when people work hard, good things are always around the corner.”