Experience key to Huskies playoff hopes
The girls soccer team practices controlling the ball and directing kicks during a type of keep-away game.
OTHELLO — If experience is the key to success on the soccer field, the Othello Huskies should have an outstanding season.
Only four seniors graduated from last year’s team, which finished 4-5 and lost to Grandview in a contest for the sixth and final CWAC district playoff berth.
“We need to take one game at a time, and we need to be better than last year, and we need to make the playoffs,” coach Bernie Garza said.
Garza knows what it takes to be competitive against the powers in the league. Now in his 25th year, with nine of 11 starters returning, Garza believes his team has what it takes to move up.
“I think we are going to be contending for a playoff spot,” Garza said. “Once you get to the playoffs, it is a different game with more strategy from the coach.”
Othello’s defense starts strong with experience in goal keeper Janelle Garza.
“She is fearless and has good reaction saves,” Garza said.
The defense is the same as last year except junior Isabell Hardiek will replace the graduated Diamond Franco as the last defender or sweeper. Other defenders include Rilee Heist on the left, Julissa Garza in the center and Kaiden Quigley on the right.
Midfielders include Elena Mendoza and Kaylee Martinez with sophomore Ebany Guzman on the right and Samantha Garza on the left.
“The backbone of the team, the midfielders, with Mendoza and Martinez, is dominant,” Garza said.
Othello’s defense and superior goal keeping kept the Huskies in games last year when the team struggled to score. This year, the Huskies hope to offer more of an offensive threat.
“Jenny Alcaraz, probably the fastest girl on the team, is at forward,” Garza said. “She has breakaway speed, and we are going to send through balls to her.”
Junior Jazlyhn Verduzco and senior Nikki Velazquez figure in the mix at the forward position. Velazquez returns for her senior year, and the experienced club player is expected to add some offensive punch to the Huskie attack.
“Throw in Victoria Cantu to the mix in midfield and we can push Martinez and Velazquez to forward and that is a dynamic team,” Garza said.