The Vanden High School girls soccer team is navigating a challenging season with a roster that features more underclassmen than upperclassmen. In their recent match against Las Lomas, the Vikings faced a tough defeat, losing 9-1. This game highlighted the team’s youthful inexperience, as it included 11 underclassmen compared to just nine upperclassmen.
Head coach Anna Chavez acknowledged the need for patience as the team develops. “With the young players, it’s really all about growth. You need that experience. They can’t just hear it. They need to go out there and they need to play it,” she stated. While the loss was significant, it was not unexpected given that Las Lomas competes in Division I of the North Coast Section, whereas Vanden is in Division III of the Sac-Joaquin Section.
Chavez believes that facing strong opponents like Las Lomas will benefit her team in the long run. “I think it shows us where we need to be to be competitive in our league. These are the level of teams we’re going to play, so we have to learn this in the preseason,” she added.
Despite the setback, Vanden had a strong start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Armijo on August 29, 2023. Goals from sophomores Ayrelyn Chavez, Caitlyn Hernandez, and Emma Erm contributed to the win. Last season, Ayrelyn and fellow sophomore Maribelle Franks were standout players, each contributing significantly to the team’s scoring efforts.
Chavez noted that Maribelle’s experience as a freshman last season will serve her well this year. “Maribelle having that varsity experience last year as a freshman… I think she’s coming in already knowing what to do,” Chavez remarked. Ayrelyn, who plays as a wingback this season, also aims to maintain her scoring prowess. She scored Vanden’s only goal against Las Lomas, a header that came in the final minute of the first half, reducing the deficit to 4-1 at halftime.
The goal was assisted by senior Jenea Zavala, who is one of just four seniors on the team. Zavala’s leadership is crucial as the team continues to develop its younger players. “You have to have patience and you have to help them learn your style of play while trying to adapt, but also showing them how to be a leader as well,” Chavez explained.
Defensively, Ayrelyn contributed to a backline that includes Madison Franks, Makayla Reynaud, and Naomi Flynn. This group effectively mitigated several attacks from Las Lomas. According to Chavez, the strength of the defense lies in its composition of freshmen and sophomores. “That back four is going to be strong… they need patience to understand it’s going to take some time, but that the outcome is going to be great for them,” she said.
Looking ahead, Vanden will host Fairfield on September 4, 2023, followed by a match against Justin-Siena on September 6, 2023. As the season progresses, the Vikings aim to build on their experiences and improve their performance on the field.
