The soccer team saw their state championship dreams come to an end on Saturday, Nov. 19 against Ventura, but the coach and players are proud of the season outcome.
Their overall record ended 14-4-3 and in conference 6-1-1, which gave them their 11th title in program history.
As far as their record showed, away games went better, 7-2, than games played at home, 5-2-3.
The soccer team played 20 games and scored 43 goals,10 of those by Leslie Ramirez, their leading goal scorer this year. Ramirez also led in assists with 11.
“I should have scored more than what I currently had, but it is a work in progress,” Ramirez said. “I’m proud that in a way I was able to put this team on my back, and also I’m proud that this team made me work hard for them.”
Ramirez shows gratitude for her coaches because they put their trust in her.
“I’m thankful for them because they believed in me and they gave me the chance to show what I had,” Ramirez said. “Adolfo [Perez] has known me ever since I was a little girl and “Willie” [William Diaz] coached me when I was little. I’m blessed not only to have them as my coaches, but my mentors.”
The Brahmas’ season started strong with five wins, one by forfeit. The team had not conceded any goals until the away game against Moorpark on Friday, Sept. 16 in a 2-1 win.
Following the match against Moorpark, the team began a losing streak. A nil-nil draw against Clovis, followed by two respective losses against Chaffey and Ventura, was the only negative streak the team had the entire season.
The 4-0 loss against Chaffey was the biggest defeat the Brahmas suffered this season.
In early November, the team had a three-game win streak against Glendale, LA Valley and West LA, followed by a draw against Canyons and a loss in the first round of playoffs against the Pirates.
Coach Adolfo Perez said the team showed perseverance even though injuries were a main issue.
“They overachieved because we played players that were forwards as defenders and defenders that were center forwards, and we adjusted,” Perez said. “We had our goalie in a car accident and everything that could go wrong went wrong, and we were able to go into playoffs, and honestly we should have won on Saturday.”
Brianna Jacobo was the only goalkeeper during this season prior to her injury. Perez said he doesn’t want to be in that situation again and will attempt to get one more goalie during the offseason.
“It was tough. Then we lost her and then we had to put Karen “Mina” Widmeyer in,” Perez said. “It was difficult and I don’t want one goalkeeper anymore, so I’ll try my best to have two.”
Sara Hernandez is thankful for her coaches and teammates despite the challenges they had this season.
“The team overcame a lot just as individuals. In the beginning, we lost our leading goal scorer from last season, so it was a bump in the road,” Hernandez said. “We just kept having bumps, and it was really difficult, but we managed to win league and I’m proud of what these girls fulfilled.”
Hernandez said the team should have been more clinical about finishing their games because they could have ended with a bigger scoreline.
“There were a lot of games that we could have won by more goals if we had finished those chances. That was a downfall for us this season,” Hernandez said.
Perez sent a message to his players and thanked them for all their hard work and for the dedication they put into each game.
“I’m really proud of them. They hung in there, believed in the system and worked really hard,” Perez said.
Hernandez had words of encouragement to those transferring and to those that will be on the team next season.
“To those transferring I hope they have a good future and I wish them all the best, Hernandez said. “For those staying another year, I will tell them to enjoy it because time is going to go by so fast and next thing you know they are going to be transferring and going on to better things.”