Defending champs get season underway

DOWNEY - The Downey High School girls' soccer team is looking to defend their C.I.F. title as winter sports and soccer season get underway.Downey finished last year's championship season with an overall record of 17-7-4. The Lady Vikings have won the San Gabriel Valley League three years in a row, including a 9-0-1 league record last year. The lone tie was to cross-town rival Warren early in the league season. The Lady Vikings have made the C.I.F. championship game in three of the last four years. Last year's team, however, was the first to hoist the plaque as C.I.F. champions. The Lady Vikings are the reigning C.I.F. Division V champions and for their strong showing in recent years, have been moved up to Division IV. The Lady Vikings defeated La Serna last season, in the championship game, 2-1 in overtime. The Lady Vikings are off to a 3-1 start this season and have played some quality opponents. The Lady Vikings defeated Lakewood 4-1 on 11/29, lost to Corona Del Mar 3-1 on 12/4, defeated Valley Christian 2-0 on 12/6 and defeated Bishop Montgomery 3-0 on 12/8. The Lady Vikings are currently ranked number one in the C.I.F. Division IV poll by virtue of bringing back 13 players from a championship team. Key returners include Krista Velasco, Janeth Acuna, Adrianna Salazar, Cindy Rodriguez and Braylyn Bennett. A key addition from last year's junior varsity squad is Charlotte Chavarria. A key loss for the Lady Vikings was Makayla Taylor. Taylor, a standout volleyball and soccer player, will not be playing soccer this season. Taylor suffered a knee injury last season in the first La Serna game as the Lady Vikings started to make their run to the title. Things will certainly be interesting as the soccer season starts to unfold and S.G.V.L. play begins.

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