Baseline League play hasn’t even started yet and the Rancho Cucamonga girls soccer team has had to deal with adversity. And it has succeeded.
The Cougars (10-1-1) were victorious at the Southern California Nike Classic in Oceanside going 4-0, highlighted by a 2-1 victory over Ventura in the championship game Thursday afternoon.
Coach Chris Van Duin was missing eight players due to injury or other soccer commitments yet the Cougars still prevailed.
“We have had some kids step up that were younger players, junior varsity players last year that have really filled in and we have had some others that have moved to different positions,” he said. “It’s tough not to have all your players available but this is when you can really learn about your team.”
Among the player stepping up is sophomore Sara Rosas who scored a goal in each of the four tournament games while filling in for another player who was out sick.
Van Duin also singled out the play of senior forward Makayla Soll and senior midfielder Leilani Ramirez with Ramirez moving around and playing every position on the field but goalkeeper.
Van Duin has been using three goal keepers – seniors Alexus Jones and Cameron Marlar and junior Bianca Clemente. It would be nice to settle on one but all have played well and Van Duin doesn’t see a reason to not continue and play all three.
Moving forward the Cougars will be without senior Grace Coehlo and junior Emily Mokricky, both of whom are out with knee injuries and will be lucky to return by the end of league play.
The Cougars are off until Jan. 10 when they start Baseline League play at Upland. Chino Hills is the defending league champion with the Cougars finishing second by just a point.
“It’s going to be as tough as ever,” he said. “We’re all going to knock each other off. No one gets through unscathed so it’s nice to know you have a team of players that can handle a little adversity.”
