Bakersfield College women’s soccer coach Scott Dameron was awarded Coach of the Year for the Western State Conference.
He was given the award during an end of the season meeting with all of the coaches in his conference.
“It’s always nice to be recognized. It’s really a reflection of the players on the team. They worked really hard,” said Dameron.
Dameron has been coaching the BC women’s soccer team for eight years. He has won this award twice before, in 2000 and 2004.
Dameron said that he felt very fortunate to have a great group of players to work with this year.
“As soon as they showed up they were very committed and hard working. From the first week of practice we knew that this was going to be a group that would have the chance to do something special,” said Dameron.
He was proven correct as the Renegades set team records this season with 15 wins and 14 shutouts but ended the season by losing to Mt. San Antonio 1-0 in the first round of the playoffs.
Dameron said that the Mt. SAC game came down to two good teams bashing each others’ heads in. “It was just one goal. Anything can happen. You make a mistake, sometimes that’s the difference in a close game like that,” said Dameron.
Dameron mentioned that he has heard positive feedback about his team from their opponents.
“All season we were complimented by our opponents, we played well with great sportsmanship,” said Dameron. “We had a good combo with our sophomore leadership and the freshman’s winning attitude.”
Dameron mentioned that most of the goals that the team set going into the season were achieved, but that the team could have done better. “You always want to go a little further, win one more game and make it a little further. I don’t think you can ever be completely satisfied, that is what makes you keep pushing to do better,” he said.
The Renegades finished the season with an overall record of 15-5-3 (10-3-1 in the Western State Conference). This season was also the first time that the BC soccer team has been nationally ranked, said Dameron.
Nine players from this year’s team made the All-WSC team.
Sophomore Lisa Smart, freshmen Candice Schlecht, Bre Bolerjack and Amanda Duran made the first team.
Sophomores Erika Garza, Alicia Crawford and Michelle Stergion made the second team. Erin Kootstra and Lisa Boothe are both honorable mentions.