GIRLS SOCCER

successful Yuma Union High School District program, and last season was no different. The Kings (8-4-1 AIA, 4-1 region) went undefeated locally and qualified for state for the eighth consecutive year, earning 6A’s No. 14 ranking and defeating No. 19 Sandra Day O’Connor in the play-in round before falling to Hamilton. Five Kings were selected to the Yuma Sun all-region team — but all five were seniors. That leaves a lot of big shoes to fill this year, but third-year coach Santos Rangel said that doesn’t mean the expectations are any lower.

“I feel like we still have a young, talented group,” he said. “It just depends how fast we can get it all together. There’s talent on the team; just haven’t seen varsity minutes yet. We want to keep the same expectations. The community kind of asks for it; it’s just one of those things you can’t go back on.”

Senior midfielder Karen Rivas, senior forward Airlin Chavarin, senior midfielder Michelle Ramirez and sophomore forward Hanna Urtado are the only returners who played notable minutes last season.

Rivas (6 goals) and Urtado (4) were two of only four Kings last season with more than one goal; sincegraduated Michelle Fuentes (28) did most of the scoring.

“Hanna Urtado and Karen Rivas should (handle the scoring),” Rangel said. “Hanna put in a lot of work in the offseason, really stepped up her game. She’s more athletic and smarter of a player.”

Varsity newcomers to watch out for include sophomore defender Amanda Kochis, sophomore goalkeeper Pricilla Osegueda, sophomore midfielder Alondra Lares and freshman midfielder Kimberly Peyro.

“I think we’re very fast,” Rangel said. “We’re fast, we’re very united and a quick bunch. They’ve been playing together for a while; have a feel for each other.”

Kofa opens its season Friday at home against Corona del Sol.

Cibola Raiders

Cibola returns seven starters from last year’s team, which went 8-5 in AIA play (2-3 region, 6-2 locally) and qualified for the 6A state play-in round as the No. 17 seed. The eight AIA wins were the program’s most since 2012-13.

With an experienced, seniorheavy roster this year, another winning campaign is to be expected.

Two reigning Yuma Sun all-region selections headline Cibola in senior forward Eliani Neri (9 goals, 1 assist) and sophomore midfielder Lizbeth Rubio (7 goals, 6 assists).

Also with starting experience are senior midfielder Cheryl Barnett, senior midfielder Brenda Garcia, senior defender Leilani Sanchez, sophomore defender Karla Jaramillo and senior goalkeeper Melanie Yanez.

Freshman forward Jada Barnett is a newcomer coach Andres Preciado expects to make an immediate impact.

Defense, as it usually is, was the Raiders’ strength last season, as they posted four shutouts and held five other opponents to just one or two goals. Preciado expects that to once again be the case.

“The question mark obviously is goal scoring,” he said. “Where are our goals going to come from? We haven’t had a legit goal scorer in several years.”

After going 2012-16 without a state appearance, Cibola has qualified two consecutive years only to lose by one goal on the road in the 6A play-in round.

“The expectations are the same as every year; hopefully get into the playoffs and if that means being (No.) 24 we’ll be 24, but truthfully we want to be in the top 16 at least so we get one game at home,” said Preciado, who’s in his sixth season as coach.

San Luis Sidewinders

After a few years of tough sledding the San Luis girls soccer team is hoping to finally break through this season. A state appearance may sound like a tall order for a team that was 2-9-2 last season in AIA play (0-5 region), but most of the team is back and thirdyear coach Gerardo Huerta is hopeful.

“It was a good season last year. We tied games that we could have or should have won,” he said. “That cost us in the power rankings. Last year our goal was to simply improve, but this year our goal is to make it to the playoffs.”

A reason for optimism comes from the core group of players that are returning from last season. San Luis will be led by sophomore midfielder Victoria Clark, who was a Yuma Sun all-region selection last season.

The Sidewinders also return junior Diana Moreno, senior Joseline Villanueva, senior Britny Pullin,

senior Sarai Gamez, senior goalie Kely Serpas, senior Marisol Sanchez, junior Ana Sofia Sanchez and senior Dulce Medina.

Sanchez was team’s leading goal scorer last year with eight.

The Sidewinders have already started the season’s campaign as they fell in the opener last week against Cibola, 2-0. Even with the loss, Huerta left the match even more optimistic about the direction of his team and program.

“It was a good game. I honestly think that it’s been a while since we made Cibola sweat,” he said. “It was hard for them. By the way they celebrated you could tell the Cibola players, I don’t think they were expecting it. A loss is a loss, but the attitude is there. We have the talent.”

Gila Ridge Hawks

Last season the Gila Ridge girls soccer program ventured into uncharted territory with its first playoff appearance in school history, but now that only set the benchmark higher for the future. The Hawks (7-7 AIA, 3-1 region) didn’t just make state, they won a 4A play-in game — before falling 4-0 to eventual 4A state runner-up Flagstaff. “We’re looking to make the playoffs again,” fourth-year coach Jessica VanderBaan said. “We’re hoping to go a little bit farther this year, maybe get to the point where we don’t draw the number one seed in the first round of the playoffs.”

If the team is going to make it back to that spot, junior forward Kylee House will have to be a big part of it. House finished last season with 10 goals and eight assists.

Her role will be increased as senior forward Mia Corners, who was on the Yuma Sun all-region team last season, will miss this year with an injury.

Even without Corners, the team has a handful of key returners to mix into the fold. VanderBaan has been impressed with the development of sophomore Kate Sumner over the offseason and the team will rely on the leadership and play of senior center back Leialoha Renaud on the backline.

“The girls are putting in the work every day and we have a pretty deep team this year,” VanderBaan said. “We also have our center back Leialoha Renaud who is returning as well. She’s a force in the back. She offered some stability in the back as well.”

Gila Ridge takes the field later this week at the Cactus Cup Tournament in Mesa before beginning AIA play Dec. 4 at Cibola.