Coach of the year Scott Dameron and the Bakersfield College women’s soccer team started the season with a 4-0 victory against Antelope Valley College on Aug. 27.
“The team’s creativity, leadership and structure are some of our strong adjustments we have this year,” said Dameron. According to Dameron, the team has developed a new strategic system to be used for each game. “Our overall control of the game and our organization among teammates have worked to win the game,” said Dameron.
The new roster holds sophomores Ana Rosales, Jaymee Morales, Tawni White, Candice Schlecht, Jasmine Howard, Bre Bolerjack, among others. Newcomer freshmen like Molly Haugen, Marissa Behill, Kalley Goodell, Katie Collins and Jackie Frias have added a new style of play for the team.
“Some of our freshmen might feel a little intimidated because of our accomplishments from last year,” mentioned Dameron, “but honestly the team is so diverse that there is no key player.”
In their home game on Aug. 27, Schlecht scored two goals, Rosales scored one, and Haugen scored one, including an assist by Goodell.
“Our team has some confidence, and we will know how much confidence we have until we finish a game,” said Dameron.
On Sept. 5, BC played a close game against Butte College with the final score of 3-3. Howard, Behill and Haugen all scored a goal and Bolerjack had an assist. “Some of our leadership and experience has been lost,” said Dameron, “and that’s our disadvantage for now.”
BC had another game on Sept. 6 against Feather River College. The final score was 5-0, giving the Renegades their second victory of the season. Rosales, Schlocht, Howard, Morales and Haugen all scored a goal for the team.
The team’s goal this season is to make it to the Western State Conference and make it to the playoffs where all of California will compete. “We will be playing some hard teams this season,” said Dameron, “We are not too focused on the playoffs but just train and play the next games.”
The women’s team has three captains, Amanda Duran, Candice Schlecht and Lisa Boothe. Also assisting Dameron are Gina Flores and Stephanie Hall. The BC soccer team will have its next game against West Hills College on Sept. 10 at 4 p.m.