Bears look to build off last season

DOWNEY - The Warren High School girls' soccer team is looking to improve upon last year's second round defeat in the C.I.F. playoffs.Last season, the Lady Bears had an overall record of 15-8-4 and a league record of 6-3-1. The Lady Bears were the number three playoff team from the San Gabriel Valley league behind Downey and Lynwood, respectively. The Lady Bears defeated Desert Mountain League champion Lancaster at Lancaster 2-1 on 2/17 in the first round of the C.I.F. Division V playoffs and fell to Woodcrest Christian on penalty kicks at home on 2/22 in the second round. For their efforts and strength of the S.G.V.L. last year, the Bears will compete in Division IV this year. The Lady Bears opened their season by hosting and defeating the Santa Fe Lady Chiefs 1-0 on Nov. 27. The Lady Bears also have preseason games scheduled against Millikan, Bellflower, La Habra and Whittier in preparation for their competitive league schedule. The Warren vs. Whittier game was played on Wednesday (score unavailable at press time). The Lady Bears return 10 players from a young squad last season and also add several junior varsity payers from a 6-3-1 team. Key varsity returners to this year's squad include Celinna "the woman" Montano, Vicky Hernandez, Elli Spain, Sarah McGarry and Laura Aquije. Several standout players that have moved up to varsity from J.V. include Briana Mira, Karina Mendez, Mariana Rodriguez, Samantha Sandaval and Clarissa Alvarez. Newcomers Jennifer Cortez, Estella Sanchez and Kimberly Duran will all contribute in key roles as well. Another change for the Lady Bears is head coach Natalie Taracena. Taracena replaces Therese Peters behind the bench. Taracena maintains that the Lady Bears "must focus on getting better and taking care of things they can control and not worry about what cross-town rival Downey is doing." The Lady Bears are certainly looking forward to this season and making a nice run in the C.I.F. Division IV playoffs.

********** Published: December 13, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 35